The Ukrainian media explain the price increase and the abnormally small price difference between milling and feed wheat by a combination of reasons. First, it is the generally high quality of wheat of the 2025 harvest. Secondly, the late start of the harvesting campaign in some Black Sea countries, including some regions of Ukraine and many regions of Russia. Thirdly, situationally high demand from traders for grain to cover “burning contracts”. Fourthly, the desire of many farmers to hold back quality products of the new harvest in the hope of further price growth, resulting in a relatively low supply of marketable wheat on the grain market.
The situation in the Republic of Moldova follows a similar scenario. Over the last two weeks, the price of wheat of the new harvest has increased by about 0.20-0.30 lei/kg. “In the north of the country, wheat is currently purchased at 2.75- 3.00 lei/kg, while in the Giurgiulesti port area the prices have increased to 3.40-3.50 lei/kg,” states Iurie Rija, an expert in agro-marketing. – For comparison, two weeks ago in the same area in the south of the country the offer was more modest, prices fluctuated within 3.10-3.20 lei/kg”.
The significant increase in wheat prices was due to the fact that two large-tonnage barges are currently loading wheat in Giurgiulesti, which boosted the demand of traders. In order to replenish the stocks needed to fulfill already concluded contracts, buying traders are offering higher prices, stimulating competition and activating the local market in the short term.
At the same time, the price for feed grain is lower than for food grain only by 0.10-0.15 lei/kg. According to Boris Boinchan, an expert of the National Center of Science, Technology and Seed Production, such market arrangement is not fair for those farmers who observe crop rotations and invest more in agro-technologies that ensure not only the quantity but also the quality of wheat harvest. But at the moment, by a specific coincidence of circumstances, such is the regional grain market.
