Ukraine and Romania Team Up to Save Grain Exports Amid Russian Attacks

Ukraine and Romania are working together to expand the logistical capacity of the Port of Constanța for grain exports, as Ukraine's agricultural sector faces significant challenges due to Russia's attacks on its port infrastructure.

The Romanian port has become a key alternative logistics hub for Ukrainian agricultural exports, with an estimated 4 million tonnes per month being transported through Romania at the end of 2023 under the European Union's 'Solidarity Lanes' initiative. Of this volume, up to 2.8 million tonnes consisted of Ukrainian grain.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy estimates that due to restrictions on main maritime export routes, elevators and grain storage facilities with a total capacity of nearly 59 million tonnes may be completely full by the beginning of November. By the end of autumn, the shortage of crop storage capacity could reach approximately 11 million tonnes.

Taras Vysotskyi, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, stressed that Russia's attacks are a 'direct blow to global food security and the stability of regional trade.' He noted that preserving grain harvests and ensuring stable alternative export routes is crucial, adding, 'We are counting on the support of our Romanian partners.'