Moldova boosts rapeseed export revenue by 16% with little increase in shipments

Moldova recorded its highest-ever rapeseed export revenue in July–September 2026, reaching 2.69 bln Moldovan lei, an increase of approximately 16.4% compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, physical export volumes rose by just 0.5% to 259 thsd tons. The main driver of higher export earnings was a 15.9% increase in the average rapeseed export price to 10.37 lei/kg, the highest level for the start of a season since 2022.

The strongest increase in export activity was recorded in September, when Moldova shipped 68.1 thsd tons of rapeseed to international markets. This was 2.4 times the volume recorded in September 2025 and exceeded the previous September record set in 2023. September shipments accounted for approximately 26% of total exports during the first three months of the season. Meanwhile, export prices remained relatively stable, ranging between 10.1 and 10.6 lei/kg, compared with a gradual decline over the same period last year.

Romania remains the largest buyer of Moldovan rapeseed, importing 240.1 thsd tons in July–September, or 92.7% of total shipments. A significant share of the crop is transported through logistics routes linked to the port of Constanta and other Romanian transport hubs. Meanwhile, exports remain concentrated among several major companies.

Significant changes have also taken place in the transportation structure of the oilseed crop. The share of waterborne shipments increased from 35% in July to 60% in September, while the share of road transport declined to 38%. At the same time, approximately 80% of export contracts include transportation and insurance costs to their destinations, mainly in Romania. Therefore, higher export prices do not fully translate into increased revenues for farmers, as part of the additional earnings is absorbed by logistics expenses.

Rising rapeseed export revenue is strengthening Moldova’s position as a supplier of oilseed raw materials to the European market. However, almost unchanged physical export volumes indicate that record earnings have been driven primarily by favorable prices rather than a substantial increase in shipments. Further developments will depend on demand from European processors and biofuel producers, transportation costs and the availability of logistics routes through Romania.

Tags: export, rapeseed, Moldova