Romania and Bulgaria increase wheat exports amid Black Sea supply shifts

Romania and Bulgaria have significantly increased their wheat exports, growing by over 50 percent as importers seek alternatives to Russia and Ukraine. Due to unpredictable delivery schedules and reduced supply from the conflict-affected nations, importers are increasingly turning to Black Sea regional alternatives.

In the July–August period, Romania and Bulgaria increased wheat exports to approximately 4.3 million tons. For buyers in the Middle East and Africa, the ability to ensure timely delivery is a critical factor, providing a competitive advantage to the ports of Constanta, Varna, and Burgas.

Market analyst Maxim Charczenko noted that the global market experienced a shortage of affordable Black Sea supply of approximately 4 million tons during the first two months of the new economic season. This follows a sharp decline in shipments from Russia and Ukraine, which fell from over 6 million tons in the previous year to just 2 million tons in August.