Moldova’s waterborne exports hit a record 1.64 million tonnes in nine months
Between 1 January and 6 October, Moldova’s ports shipped 1.64 million tonnes of goods, above the 2024 record.
1.64 million tonnes — that is how much cargo Moldova exported by water between 1 January and 6 October 2026, on 719 vessels.
The volume is 16% above the whole of 2025 (1.41 million tonnes) and 9.5% above the 2024 record, according to an analysis by agri-market expert Iurie Rija. About 90% of shipments are grain and oilseeds. Wheat accounts for 51% — roughly 834,500 tonnes — followed by sunflower seeds (235,041 t), maize (181,571 t), rapeseed (127,031 t) and barley (78,332 t).
Giurgiulesti International Free Port handled 72% of exports (1.18 million tonnes), while the Ungheni river port on the Prut handled 28% (457,149 t), up 51% on 2025. Imports of about 1.1 million tonnes were led by construction materials (339,389 t), diesel (236,149 t, 10% more than in all of 2025) and fertilisers (146,895 t).
What it means for you
- Farmers and grain traders: demand for river and sea logistics is growing — book transport early.
- Ungheni is now a real alternative to Giurgiulesti for wheat.
- Exports remain raw-material heavy, leaving room for local processing.
Source: Mold-Street, 11.10.2026