Ukraine and Romania strengthen cooperation to ensure agricultural exports

The Romanian port of Constanța is currently a key alternative logistics hub for Ukrainian agricultural exports. Therefore, the development of this route, expansion of logistics capacities, and support for Ukrainian farmers are among the priorities of cooperation between Ukraine and Romania.

These issues were the main topic of a meeting between Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ukraine Alexandru Victor Micula.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, due to restrictions on the operation of major maritime export routes, by early November elevators and grain storage facilities with a total capacity of nearly 59 million tonnes may be completely filled. By the end of autumn, the storage deficit could reach about 11 million tonnes. Under these conditions, the Romanian port of Constanța becomes a crucial alternative route for transshipping Ukrainian grain onto large ocean-going vessels for further export to global markets.

"Systematic russian attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure and agricultural sector are a direct blow to global food security and regional trade stability. Today, we face a critical situation where storage capacities are rapidly filling up, and export opportunities are blocked. It is vital for us to preserve the harvested grain and ensure stable alternative export routes. We count on the support of our Romanian partners," emphasized Taras Vysotskyi.

Romania has previously 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 were 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. These include increasing the number of checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, expanding phytosanitary and veterinary control capacities, switching relevant services to round-the-clock operation, and maximizing the use of floating cranes for ship-to-ship grain transfer in Constanța port.

The parties noted that the Danube logistics corridor also remains under constant threat of russian attacks. russia systematically shells Danube ports, fuel infrastructure, and grain elevators, creating additional risks for exports. In this regard, Romania, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, is intensifying measures to ensure safe navigation and escort of civilian vessels to the Sulina Canal and Danube ports.

Another topic of discussion was financial support for Ukrainian farmers. According to Taras Vysotskyi, the most effective solution is to provide farmers with affordable credit resources to finance working capital until the moment when the products can be profitably sold.

The Romanian side confirmed its readiness to support Ukrainian initiatives and jointly work on attracting necessary financing from the European Commission as well as further development.