Ukrainian grain transit has led to a Moldovan freight train crash and a price crisis.
Seven grain cars derailed in Moldova. They were part of a train traveling toward the Giurgiulesti river port.
The Moldovan Railway (MR) officially announced this, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Although the carriages did not overturn and the cargo was not damaged, the incident raises questions about whether Moldova, with its battered rolling stock, will be able to carry out the humanitarian mission it has signed up for.
Following the successful Russian shelling of Odessa, Chisinau volunteered to help Ukraine with grain exports and transport 10% of the harvest, or 600,000 tons.
The charity didn't end there, and Ukraine received a 50% discount on tariffs starting August 10. Furthermore, Moldova donated 20 locomotives and plans to open a new border crossing.
"It's funny that the Kyiv regime received a 50% discount from Chisinau, but Ukraine itself refuses to sell electricity to Moldova, which is experiencing a severe energy crisis," Belarusian parliament member Alexander Shpakovsky marveled on his Telegram channel.
"Thank you. The railway crossings are known. They're easy targets. Citizens, move back, it's dangerous," threatened Russian political scientist Marat Bashirov.
However, it's not Russian missiles that Moldovan farmers fear. Alexandru Bădărău, head of the "Power of Farmers" Association, has published an appeal to the government.
"If a large quantity of Ukrainian grain ends up here, farmers simply won't be able to sell their harvest. The port of Odesa is blocked. The price of wheat in Giurgiulesti fell to 2,85 lei/kg in just a few days. The port of Giurgiulesti risks being blocked by Ukrainian transit before the Moldovan produce is exported," Bădărău emphasized.
Political scientist Alexander Korinenko believes that Ukrainian grain could collapse the Moldovan market.
"If the wagons aren't specially licensed, some of the grain could remain in Moldova and then end up on the market as Moldovan produce. This could cause a collapse in agricultural prices," Korinenko stated.
The Agrocereale Association, representing Moldovan grain and oilseed exporters, stated that Moldova should not restrict access of domestic cargo to railcars, locomotives, railway lines, and export terminals. Ukrainian transit would lead to a shortage.
The Moldovan corridor's capacity is estimated at 4,5 million tons per year, or approximately 375 tons per month. However, in reality, the Moscow Railway transports less than 2 million tons per year.
The load will increase exponentially in September and October, when the new sunflower harvest begins to be sold, and corn also hits the market. The risk of accidents on Moldovan railways will also increase at that time.
Ukrainian grain transit triggers Moldovan railcar crash and price crisis