The issue was discussed during a meeting between Taras Vysotskyi, Ukraine's minister of agrarian policy and food, and Alexandru Victor Micula, Romania's ambassador to Ukraine, Ukrinform reports, citing the ministry.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, restrictions on Ukraine's main maritime export routes could leave grain elevators and storage facilities with a combined capacity of nearly 59 million tonnes completely full by early November. By the end of autumn, the country's grain storage shortfall could reach about 11 million tonnes.

Under these circumstances, Romania's port of Constanța is becoming a key alternative route for transshipping Ukrainian grain onto large ocean-going vessels for export to global markets.

"Today we are facing a critical situation where grain storage facilities are filling up rapidly while export opportunities remain limited. It is vital for us to preserve the harvested grain and ensure stable alternative export routes. We are counting on the support of our Romanian partners," Vysotskyi said.

The sides agreed to step up efforts to increase the number of border crossing points between Ukraine and Romania, expand phytosanitary and veterinary inspection capacity, switch the relevant services to round-the-clock operations, and maximize the use of offshore transshipment using floating cranes at the Port of Constanța.

The Danube logistics corridor, which remains under constant threat of Russian attacks, was also high on the agenda. In response, Romania, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, is strengthening measures to ensure safe navigation and escort civilian vessels to the Sulina Canal and Danube ports.

The talks also covered financial support for Ukrainian farmers and the possibility of securing funding from the European Commission. The Romanian side reaffirmed its readiness to support Ukrainian initiatives aimed at developing alternative logistics routes.

Earlier reports said that Canada is prepared to help provide Ukraine with additional grain storage bags for temporary crop storage after Russian attacks on port infrastructure disrupted agricultural exports.

Photo credit: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food