Wheat: Feed wheat is getting cheaper, while food wheat remains stable
Compared to the situation at the end of July, feed wheat prices in Moldova have fallen by an average of 100 lei/metric ton across all regions of the country. In the north of the country, prices have stabilized at 2,550–2,800 lei/metric ton; in the center, at 2,700–2,900 lei/metric ton; and in the south, at around 3,300 lei/metric ton (in the Giurgiulești area; prices in all cases include VAT).
Food wheat has so far remained at its previous price level, particularly in areas where grain processing facilities are concentrated. For example, in Drochia—the center of flour production in the north of the country—the spot market price for food wheat remains in the range of 3,000–3,100 lei/metric ton.
Across the country, the price difference between food-grade and feed-grade wheat is typically 0.10–0.20 lei per kilogram (in favor of the former). However, when demand is low, this difference narrows.
Barley: Cheaper Than Wheat
Barley is following the same downward trend as feed wheat, trading on average 0.05–0.10 lei/kg below the July price. In the north of the country, prices range from 2,500 to 2,600 lei/metric ton, and in the center, from 2,600 to 2,800 lei/metric ton. In Giurgiulesti, barley prices remained stable at 3,200–3,300 lei/metric ton—unchanged from three weeks ago.
“At the national level, based on the prices that took shape in August, farmers are selling virtually no grain,” notes agromarketing expert Iurie Rija. “Port traders are buying in small quantities. The main reason is a shortage of available warehouse space: most of the available capacity is currently occupied by rapeseed—a more profitable first-group crop. Meanwhile, wheat and barley are stored only occasionally, accumulating after barges arrive at the port.”
Rapeseed: The Most Volatile Market Segment
Unlike wheat and barley, rapeseed exhibits extremely volatile sales and price trends. While the price in Giurgiulești stood at 10.60 lei/kg in early July 2026, it fell to 10.00 lei/kg by the end of the month. Later, the trend reversed: this week, rapeseed was trading at the port for 10.20 lei/kg. And today, the price rose to 10.30 lei/kg.
Rapeseed prices are also rising in other regions of the country: in the north, prices have increased by approximately 300 lei/metric ton—to 9,300–9,700 lei/metric ton, and in the center—to 9,600–9,900 lei/metric ton.
“The price recovery is driven, on the one hand, by farmers’ reluctance to sell highly liquid goods at the start of the season at a low price. This stance is partly shared by traders, who are betting on a continued upward trend in the oilseed market. In addition, competition in the market is intensifying—a processor in the north of the country has launched its rapeseed processing facilities and needs raw materials,” says Iurie Rija.
Outlook
An important signal from foreign markets. In Constanta, DAP prices rose by mid-August—both for feed wheat (+3 euros/metric ton, to 199 euros/metric ton) and for food wheat (+3 euros/metric ton, to 218 euros/metric ton). Barley prices rose even more—by 10 euros/metric ton (to 200 euros/metric ton).
The difference in price trends between Moldova and Romania can be explained by rising domestic logistics costs, particularly higher diesel fuel prices. Consequently, these additional costs eroded part of the purchase prices and traders’ margins.
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