Moldova increases corn exports amid harvest delays and rising prices

Moldova exported 318.3 thsd tons of corn in January–September 2026, already exceeding shipments for the whole of 2025, when the country exported 221.3 thsd tons. Thus, exports in the first nine months were almost 44% higher than the full-year figure for 2025 and also surpassed the 2024 total of 305.8 thsd tons. According to economist Iurie Rija, the main reason for this trend was the delayed 2025 harvest, which pushed a significant share of export shipments into 2026.

In the third quarter of 2026, Moldovan corn exports increased by 28% year-on-year to 28.2 thsd tons, the highest July–September figure in four years. However, shipments slowed sharply during the quarter. While exports reached 21.5 thsd tons in July, they fell to 3.4 thsd tons in August and 3.3 thsd tons in September. This trend indicates that old-crop corn stocks were gradually being depleted.

Alongside higher export volumes, prices for Moldovan corn also increased. In July–September, the average export price reached 4.33 Moldovan lei/kg, compared with 4 lei/kg during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 8%. Higher prices supported exporters’ revenues but also reflected limited grain availability towards the end of the season and rising procurement costs for foreign buyers.

Lebanon was the main destination for Moldovan corn exports in the third quarter, purchasing 12.5 thsd tons, or around 44% of total shipments, at an average price of 4.44 lei/kg. Ukraine ranked second with 4.2 thsd tons, although these shipments were transit volumes: the grain was transported by rail to the Ukrainian port of Reni for subsequent re-export. Other buyers included Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. Meanwhile, the three largest Moldovan exporters accounted for 62% of corn shipments during the period.

The outlook for further corn exports from Moldova remains dependent on the timing of the 2026 harvest. Prolonged rainfall in October has delayed fieldwork, meaning that part of the crop may not be harvested until the winter months. According to Iurie Rija, the bulk of new-crop corn exports could take place in the first half of 2027. As a result, the shift in export activity into the following calendar year may be repeated, while the market is likely to remain sensitive to harvest progress, grain availability and price developments in the coming months.

Tags: corn, Moldova