Move to export Ukraine’s crops

Constanta – Like a giant elephant trunk, a huge hose sweeps above the hold of a ship in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta, spilling tons of maize into the vessel before it sets sail.

Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s seaports has forced the country’s exporters to look for alternatives to move their precious cargo.

So, now, the country’s grain is loaded onto trains, lorries or barges in the small Danube ports of Reni and Izmail in the southwest, for transport to the Romanian port.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed Constanta into a vital maritime export hub for Ukraine’s crops.

Before the war, Ukraine exported 4.5 million tons of agricultural produce per month through its ports – 12% of the world’s wheat, 15% of its corn and 50% of its sunflower oil.

“We need to make sure the grain gets to consumers’ tables without delay to avoid the risk of famine,” said Viorel Panait, chief executive of Comvex, which handles Constanta’s bulk raw materials.

Neighbouring Bulgaria said this week it was willing to help export Ukrainian grain from its Black Sea port of Varna – and is getting to work upgrading its infrastructure.

In the meantime, Constanta is moving the cargo as fast as it can.