Low Danube water levels limit Serbia’s grain export capacity

Low water levels on the Danube are restricting grain transportation from Serbia and increasing exporters’ logistics costs. Insufficient river depth is forcing barges to carry smaller cargoes, reducing the efficiency of inland waterway transport.

Marko Slijepčević of Konzul told the Grain Academy conference in Sofia on 22 October that vessels had in some cases been able to load only around 30–40% of their normal capacity. This increases transportation costs per tonne of grain and makes it more difficult for Serbian supplies to reach export markets.

Serbia uses three main routes to export grain: the Danube via Romania to the port of Constanța, road deliveries to neighbouring countries and rail shipments, including to Italy. However, each route has its own constraints, while shifting cargoes to road and rail is also complicated by rising demand for transportation across the region.

According to Slijepčević, Serbia exported approximately 1.24 mln tons of wheat in MY 2025/26. Meanwhile, corn exports fell to around 374 thsd tons, the lowest level since MY 2008/09, following a drought-related decline in production.

River transport difficulties are putting further pressure on the competitiveness of Serbian grain by increasing delivery costs. Grain Academy participants noted that transport infrastructure and access to export routes are becoming increasingly important factors for grain trade across the Balkans.

Tags: corn, export, grain, wheat, Danube ports