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The Republic of Moldova has reached the second position among wheat suppliers to the European Union, surpassing both Serbia and Ukraine, according to an analysis by economist Iurie Rija. During the months of July and August 2026, Moldova exported 378,200 tons of wheat, marking the highest volume ever recorded for this period.
The current agricultural season has outperformed the 2021 figures, which were previously considered the benchmark for the wheat market. Compared to the same period in 2025, when 307,400 tons were exported, the volume increased by 23 percent. Data indicates that July 2026 saw a record 150,800 tons exported, followed by 227,400 tons in August. According to Eurostat data cited in the analysis, 113,500 tons of Moldovan wheat reached the EU market during these two months.
The average export price for the first two months of the season was 3.71 lei per kilogram, higher than the 3.53 lei per kilogram recorded in the 2024/2025 season. However, Rija noted that higher prices do not necessarily translate into better margins for exporters, as increased logistics costs have impacted profitability. The total value of wheat exports for July and August 2026 reached approximately 1.4 billion lei.
The top three exporters, AGRO-NOVA PRIM, RUSAGRO-PRIM, and OROM-IMEXPO, accounted for approximately 60 percent of the total export volume. Romania emerged as the primary destination for Moldovan wheat, receiving 134,100 tons, followed by Italy with 98,600 tons and Israel with 56,700 tons.
The analysis highlights significant challenges in rail transport. Exports via rail dropped from 45,300 tons in July to 2,870 tons in August, a decline of over 93 percent. Rija attributed this to the month-long stagnation of Moldovan rail cars at the port of Reni, caused by shipowners refusing to service the port due to regional military risks. This blockage was particularly evident at the Etulia customs point.
To compensate for rail disruptions, fluvial transport became the primary method for wheat exports, accounting for 287,600 tons, or 76.1 percent of the total. The Giurgiulești hub played a critical role, processing nearly 279,000 tons of wheat, which represents 73.8 percent of the total exports for the two-month period.
Article and image source: timpul.md
