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Ukraine is evaluating transporting grains by rail through Moldova as a safer export alternative to the sea route.
To this end, Kyiv has requested a 50% discount from Chisinau authorities on the nominal freight tariff to the Romanian port of Constanta, according to sources from both countries.
Shipments from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, even through the "security corridor" to Romania, have been hampered in recent months by increased Russian attacks against port infrastructure and maritime transport.
"We are currently collecting information on the potential volumes from interested exporters. The information collection process has not yet concluded," a senior Ukrainian industry official told Reuters.
A source from Moldovan Railways indicated that Ukraine requested the 50% discount during discussions. According to the informant, Moldova responded with a counter-proposal demanding guarantees from Kyiv regarding the volumes of grain that would be transported.
"At this moment, both parties are discussing the timeframe and volumes for the transit of Ukrainian grain through Moldova to the (Romanian) port of Constanta," the source specified.
Oleg Tofilat, former director of Moldovan Railways, told Reuters that a transit railway corridor through Moldova could transport 4.5 million metric tons per year.
Ukrainian estimates indicate that an operational corridor could cover 10% of the country's exports. Moldova had already facilitated the rail transport of Ukrainian grain between 2022 and 2023. The need for a railway route has arisen due to Russian attacks against the port hub of Odesa.
Ukraine's Agriculture Minister, Taras Vysotskyi, told Reuters earlier this Monday that the ministry had reduced its grain export forecast for the 2026-27 season to between 38 and 40 million metric tons – down from the previously projected 43 million tons – due to Russian attacks on ports.
The reduction in the export projection underscores the damage these attacks are causing to a country that sends more than 90% of its grain exports by sea. Agricultural products represent the largest proportion of Ukraine's total exports.
Moldova's Prime Minister, Vasile Tofan, stated that his country should not miss the opportunity to earn millions of euros in revenue from the transit of Ukrainian grain shipments.
He also dismissed warnings from Moldovan agricultural associations about the possibility that the price of Ukrainian grain could harm the sale of their own production.
"Let's not look for enemies where there are none," Tofan told Moldovan television.
