The average export price of Moldovan barley last month was 3.61 lei/kg—a 6% increase compared to the average price of this commodity in July 2025 (3.40 lei/kg). However, the increase in barley prices during the first month of the current marketing season is due to higher logistics costs.
The breakdown of barley exports by mode of transport is similar to that of wheat exports. Thus, water transport remains the primary method of delivering Moldovan barley to buyers, accounting for 60% (nearly 44,000 metric tons). Rail transport ranks second in this list, accounting for 35% (about 25,000 metric tons). Road transport currently lags behind, accounting for only 5% (3,700 metric tons) of freight shipments.
“The fact that more and more barley is being transported by rail rather than by road is a positive sign for exporters, as it allows them to optimize logistics costs with an eye toward large shipment volumes,” notes Iurie Rija, an expert in agromarketing. “Barley transported by rail is sent to the Danube port of Reni, where it is transshipped for maritime transport to its final destinations.”
The Moldovan barley market is primarily oriented toward the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East. In July 2026, the main export destinations were: Cyprus (32%, 23.6 thousand metric tons, average price 3.55 lei/kg), Greece (25%, 18,1 thousand metric tons, 3.95 lei/kg), and Lebanon (19%, 13,9 thousand metric tons, 3.62 lei/kg).
