Ukrainian grain exports via Constanta triple to 1.03 mln tons

Ukrainian grain exports through Romania’s port of Constanta rose to 1.03 mln tons in January–September 2026, compared with 321 thsd tons in the same period last year. Shipments more than tripled despite increasing security risks in the Black Sea and higher marine insurance costs, according to the Constanta Port Authority.

Total grain exports through Constanta reached 15.8 mln tons in the first nine months of 2026, up 7% from the corresponding period of 2025. Meanwhile, the port’s overall cargo throughput totaled 51.55 mln tons, remaining virtually unchanged year-on-year. Grain shipments therefore recorded growth despite broadly stable total cargo volumes.

Constanta remains one of the European Union’s largest grain ports and an important logistics route for Ukrainian agricultural exports. The increase in Ukrainian grain shipments highlights the continued role of Romanian port infrastructure in international trade.

In September, London’s marine insurance market expanded its designated high-risk area in the Black Sea, excluding the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia. However, intensified attacks on commercial shipping near the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts have pushed insurance premiums higher. Particular concern surrounds the Sulina Canal, which connects the Danube River to the Black Sea and serves as one of the main routes for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

Despite heightened risks, insurance coverage remains available for vessels operating in Romania’s Black Sea waters, although premiums have increased and some insurers are limiting their involvement. According to the port authority, operations at Constanta remained stable through the end of September. The actual impact of the October attacks on cargo flows will become clearer once the port releases its October statistics, expected in November.

Tags: Constanta, Ukraine, grain, grain export, logistics