Key facts
- Ukraine is considering using rail transport through Moldova for grain exports.
- The proposed route aims to reach the Romanian port of Constanța.
- Kyiv is seeking a 50% discount on freight tariffs for this transit.
- Moldova has requested guarantees on the volume of grain to be transported.
- A rail corridor through Moldova could potentially handle 4.5 million metric tons annually.
Ukraine is exploring the possibility of shipping grain by rail through Moldova as a more secure export route amid escalating Russian attacks on its Black Sea ports and infrastructure. Sources indicate that Kyiv has requested a 50% discount on freight tariffs for this transit, while Moldova has countered by seeking guarantees on the volume of grain to be transported.
Discussions are underway regarding the timeframe and volumes for transporting Ukrainian grain through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanța. Oleg Tofilat, former head of Moldovan Railways, suggested that a transit rail corridor could accommodate up to 4.5 million metric tons annually, potentially accounting for 10% of Ukraine's exports. Moldova previously facilitated Ukrainian grain transport in 2022-2023.
Moldova's Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister, Vladimir Bolea, met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Kalashnyk, to discuss improved rail links and expanded transit capabilities. The urgency for alternative routes stems from recent Russian strikes targeting the Odesa port hub.
These export disruptions have led to lowered grain export forecasts for Ukraine. Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi reduced the forecast for the 2026-27 season to 38-40 million metric tons, down from 43 million tons. Analysts at APK-Inform also cut their export forecast by 8.6% to 39.4 million tons. Agricultural products constitute the largest share of Ukraine's exports, with over 90% typically shipped via seaports.
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan emphasized the economic benefits of transit revenue from Ukrainian grain, dismissing concerns from local farm groups about potential price undercutting.