Ukraine Mulls Rail Grain Exports Through Moldova Amid Port Attacks

Ukraine is considering shipping grain by rail through Moldova as an alternative to sea exports due to increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and infrastructure. A senior Ukrainian industry official told Reuters that Kyiv wants to transport its grain via Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanța with a 50% discount on the nominal rate.

The proposal was made during discussions between Ukrainian and Moldovan authorities, with Moldova countering by asking for guarantees of volumes of Ukrainian grain to be transported. The two sides are now discussing a time frame and volumes of transit for Ukrainian grain through Moldova.

According to Oleg Tofilat, the former head of Moldovan Railways, a transit rail corridor through Moldova could carry 4.5 million metric tons annually, which would account for around 10% of Ukraine's exports. Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi has lowered his country's grain export forecast for the 2026-27 season to 38 million, 40 million metric tons due to Russian attacks on ports.

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan sees this opportunity as a chance for Moldova to earn millions of euros in transit revenue, dismissing concerns that Ukrainian grain prices would undercut domestic produce. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and dismissed suggestions of conflict over market share.