Romanian corn is the cheapest in the region as Constanta logistics jam, farmers say costs are not covered
Romanian corn was the cheapest among compared regional markets in the week of 7-13 September, with Oltenia at 178.5 euros per tonne against 204.3 euros a year earlier, while milling wheat was second cheapest after Croatia. Farmers say harvest-time prices do not cover production costs with diesel approaching 11 lei per litre, and the APPR Forum points to a logistics blockage at the Port of Constanta.
Wheat holds below regional benchmarks
Romanian wheat and corn prices remained among the lowest in the region in the week of 7-13 September, according to b1tv.ro. Romanian corn was the cheapest of the compared markets, while milling wheat ranked second cheapest after Croatia.
A tonne of milling wheat delivered to silo and loaded onto the means of transport (DEPSILO) averaged 186.13 euros in Banat, 186.7 euros in Oltenia and 200.28 euros in Muntenia over that week. Those levels were 0.9%, 8.6% and 17.3% higher respectively than in the same period a year earlier, according to European Commission data cited by Economica.net.
At Constanta, the FOB price of wheat - the price of goods actually loaded on board the vessel at the agreed port of loading - stood at 228.64 euros per tonne, 13% above the level recorded a year earlier. The port quotation had started from 207 euros per tonne at the beginning of August.
Romania was the second lowest-priced market for milling wheat after Croatia. In Zagreb, wheat was quoted at 185.8 euros per tonne for both DEPSILO and FOB deliveries. In Bulgaria, indicated prices started at 180 euros per tonne in Plovdiv for DEPROD at the farm gate and rose to 207 euros per tonne in Varna, also DEPROD.
Corn sits at the bottom of the table
Corn recorded an average DEPSILO price of 194.9 euros per tonne in Banat, below the 210 euros per tonne of the comparable period last year. In Muntenia the average was 187.3 euros per tonne, against 194 euros per tonne in 2025.
Oltenia posted the lowest level of the three regions at 178.5 euros per tonne, compared with 204.3 euros per tonne in 2025. Romania is the cheapest corn market among those analysed. In Bulgaria, farmers obtain between 177 euros per tonne under DEPROD terms and 215 euros per tonne. The two grains are therefore moving in opposite directions year on year: wheat is up across all three Romanian regions surveyed, while corn is down in each of them.
Production costs and the 2026-2027 campaign
Romanian farmers consider that current selling levels do not adequately cover production expenses. The gap between costs and harvest-time prices reduces the liquidity needed to prepare the 2026-2027 campaign, at a time when diesel is approaching 11 lei per litre.
The blockage at the Port of Constanta
The Forum of Professional Farmers and Processors in Romania (APPR Forum) says the crop is available, but that marketing and transport are disrupted.
"Romanian agriculture is going through a paradox that no serious economy should accept: the harvest exists but does not circulate; the farmer has produced but cannot sell; obligations to suppliers, banks and employees are falling due, yet liquidity remains blocked in silos, in rail sets that do not arrive and in decisions that have been delayed," APPR Forum representatives said.
The blockage reported at the Port of Constanta affects the entire logistics circuit. Among the causes cited are:
- a shortage of staff to operate locomotives;
- large volumes of Ukrainian goods or goods destined for Ukraine;
- the low level of the Danube;
- the absence of coherent prioritisation for Romanian agricultural products.
