Moldovan farmers demand review of Ukrainian grain transit discount and threaten protests

A dispute is brewing in Moldova over the transit of Ukrainian grain. Local farmers fear that the increase in Ukrainian cargo will limit their access to rail transportation, and are demanding a review of the 50% discount for Ukraine. If the authorities do not respond by August 21, the farmers are threatening to protest.

This is reported by RAIL.insider.

The government will gather farmers over Ukrainian grain

On August 20, the Moldovan government will hold an expanded meeting dedicated to the transit of Ukrainian grain cargo by rail.

Ukrainian grain can be transported through the country to the port of Reni, Moldovan ports on the Danube, and further to the ports of Romania.

One of the main tasks of the negotiations will be to find a mechanism that will allow Moldovan farmers to have priority access to the railway infrastructure and at the same time preserve opportunities for the transit of Ukrainian products.

The authorities also want to avoid the negative impact of transit flows on the country’s domestic agricultural market.

Farmers want to cancel or revise the 50% discount

The greatest dissatisfaction of farmers is caused by the preferential conditions that Moldova has provided to Ukrainian cargo.

From August 10 to the end of 2026, a 50% discount will be applied to transit rail transportation of Ukrainian cargo through the territory of Moldova.

The Farmers’ Power Association demands that this decision be reviewed.

Farmers fear that preferential tariffs will stimulate an increase in Ukrainian transit, and it will become more difficult for local producers to obtain the necessary wagons and access to railway routes.

Farmers have set a deadline for the authorities

Representatives of the agricultural sector have effectively put forward an ultimatum to the government.

If the authorities do not propose a solution to the problem by August 21, farmers declare their readiness to start protests.

Representatives of the Farmers’ Power Association, other agricultural associations, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, and the state-owned enterprise Moldovan Railways were invited to the meeting.

The expanded meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of August 20.

The Moldovan route is becoming increasingly important for Ukraine

The dispute arose at a critical moment for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

Due to Russian attacks in July, Ukraine lost about a third of its grain export capacity via the Black Sea. Port infrastructure capacity decreased from approximately 6 to 4 million tons per month, and four of the 13 major grain terminals suspended purchases.

In the first two weeks of August, Ukrainian grain exports decreased by 75% compared to the same period last year.

Against this background, alternative land routes, in particular via Moldova, are becoming particularly important for Ukraine.

At the same time, the final fate of the 50% discount has not yet been determined. It is the negotiations between the Moldovan government and agricultural associations that should show whether the current preferential conditions for Ukrainian cargo will be maintained, or whether Chisinau will be forced to revise them under pressure from local farmers.