Romanian grain prices edge higher at Constanta as global markets remain under pressure
DAP prices for wheat, corn, barley and rapeseed rose modestly at Constanta on August 12, while sunflower held steady. The local gains contrast with weaker Euronext and Ukrainian wheat markets, leaving Black Sea exports and logistics central to the outlook.
Constanta prices post modest gains
Romanian grain and oilseed prices moved slightly higher at the port of Constanta, even as the broader international market remained under pressure. Agrointel reported that DAP Constanta bread wheat rose from €211 to €214 per tonne, while feed wheat increased from €193 to €196 per tonne. Corn gained €2 to €207 per tonne, and feed barley advanced from €192 to €195 per tonne.
Rapeseed recorded the strongest increase among the listed commodities, rising from €514 to €520 per tonne. Sunflower was unchanged at €495 per tonne. The August 12 DAP quotations were €196 per tonne for feed wheat, €207 for corn, €195 for feed barley, €495 for sunflower and €520 for rapeseed. In Romanian currency, the respective prices were RON1,029, RON1,087, RON1,024, RON2,592 and RON2,724 per tonne.
International wheat and rapeseed markets weaken
The local recovery diverged from European futures. The December Euronext wheat contract declined 1.2% to €227.50 per tonne, its lowest level since July 15. Agrointel attributed the pressure to weak demand for western European wheat and reduced concern about Russian and Ukrainian exports following reports of discussions on a Black Sea navigation safety agreement. Traders were still awaiting firm confirmation and the USDA report.
November MATIF rapeseed fell to €534.75 per tonne on August 11, down 0.74% from the previous session and 1.11% over one month. It nevertheless remained 14.63% above its year-earlier level. Expectations of record global rapeseed production in 2026/27 and larger supplies from the EU, Ukraine and Russia weighed on the market.
Black Sea logistics shape the outlook
Ukraine has reduced its 2026/27 grain export estimate by as much as 12%, helping limit downward pressure at Constanta. Ukrainian wheat prices still fell amid greater supply, cautious demand and suspended operations at ports in the Odesa area. Milling wheat traded at $163–170 per tonne CPT-port and feed wheat at $155–163, declines of $5–25 from the previous week.
Agrointel reported that Ukrainian grain export logistics costs had risen by about $50 per tonne after the suspension of Black Sea port operations and could reach $70 above the previous level. Rail, road and Danube ports can handle only 45–50% of annual agricultural exports even under favorable conditions. These constraints make the availability and cost of Black Sea routes a key variable for Romanian producers and exporters.
Romania retains a leading EU export role
EU soft wheat exports reached 1.01 million tonnes by August 9, up from 700,000 tonnes one week earlier but 57% below the same stage of the previous season. Romania ranked second among EU exporters with 225,222 tonnes, behind Lithuania at 292,504 tonnes. Romania also led EU barley exports with 185,944 tonnes, although total EU barley shipments, at 360,000 tonnes, were 81% lower year on year.
EU corn imports rose 25% to 1.58 million tonnes. Rapeseed imports declined 22% to 260,000 tonnes, although weekly supplies from Ukraine, Canada and Serbia increased. The combination of restrained EU exports, volatile Ukrainian logistics and expanding rapeseed flows leaves Constanta prices exposed to rapid changes in regional supply and transport conditions.
