Ukraine and Romania discussed expanding the logistical capacity of the Port of Constanța for grain exports
Kyiv • UNN
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy forecasts a grain storage deficit of up to 11 million tonnes by the end of autumn. Romania will help increase the capacity of the Port of Constanța and border crossing points.
The Romanian port of Constanța is today a key alternative logistics hub for Ukrainian agricultural exports. That is why the development of this route, the expansion of logistics capabilities, and support for Ukrainian farmers are among the priorities of cooperation between Ukraine and Romania. This was discussed during a meeting between Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi and Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ukraine, Alexandru Victor Micula, UNN reports, citing the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, due to restrictions on the operation of the 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. Under these circumstances, the Romanian port of Constanța is becoming a key alternative route for transshipping Ukrainian grain onto large ocean-going vessels and subsequently exporting it to global markets.
"Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure and agricultural sector are a direct blow to global food security and the stability of regional trade. Today, we are facing a critical situation in which crop storage capacities are filling up rapidly, while there are no export opportunities. It is vital for us to preserve the grain we have harvested and ensure stable alternative export routes. We are counting on the support of our Romanian partners," Vysotskyi stressed.
The ministry emphasized that Romania had previously also helped export Ukrainian grain. At the end of 2023, thanks to the European Union’s "Solidarity Lanes" initiative, transit through Romania reached 4 million tonnes per month, of which up to 2.8 million tonnes consisted of Ukrainian agricultural exports. About 70% of this volume was transported by rail and road directly to the port of Constanța.
To restore and increase such volumes, the parties agreed to intensify work in several areas. In particular, this concerns increasing the number of checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, expanding phytosanitary and veterinary control capacities, switching the relevant services to round-the-clock operation, and making maximum use of roadstead transshipment capabilities with the involvement of floating cranes at the port of Constanța
The parties noted that the Danube logistics corridor also remains under constant threat of Russian attacks. Russia systematically shells Danube ports, fuel infrastructure, and elevators, creating additional risks for exports. In this regard, Romania, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, is strengthening measures to ensure safe navigation and escort civilian vessels to the Sulina Canal and Danube ports.
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy added that financial support for Ukrainian agricultural producers was a separate issue discussed during the negotiations. According to Taras Vysotskyi, a more effective solution is to provide farmers with affordable credit resources that will allow them to finance working capital until it becomes possible to sell their products profitably.
The Romanian side confirmed its readiness to support Ukrainian initiatives and work jointly to secure the necessary financing from the European Commission and pursue development.