Because of increased grain exports from countries in the Black Sea region such as Romania and trade flows with countries in the Middle East, grain volumes through the Constanta port on the Black Sea have jumped 30%, handling 9.5 million tons in August from 7.3 million tons a year earlier, transforming the port into a major European grain hub. In 2013 533 Panamax ships and other dry bulk carriers berthed at Constanta – a 21% increase over 2012 and in August of this year Cargill and freight handler Transport Trade Services SA doubled grain capacity at the Canopus Star terminal at the port. Increased yields and grain output from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Serbia, and new port facilities to handle trade flows to Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries have propelled the port at Constanta to unseat Rouen, France as Europe’s grain hub. Romania has outranked Russia and France to become Egypt’s top supplier of wheat shipping 600,000 tons to Egypt since July 1st compared to Russia’s 525,000 tons and France’s 480,000 tons. Total grain volumes through Constanta are only expected to continue growing, and total volume for the year are expected to exceed last year’s record volume of 15.3 million tons. Romania’s rising exports and improving logistics have attracted investments from global players such as CHS, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), and Cargill, however Romania will need to address issues of unpredictable customs clearance, crime, poor roads, and lack of navigability on the Danube to see full growth potential.
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