“Record” 100 thsd tons of Ukrainian soybeans to Romania turned out to be mostly transit

to other countries. The analyst explains that Romania is not experiencing any shortage of soybeans, rapeseed, or sunflower, and the country remains a net exporter of oilseeds. Local processing capacities are underutilized, so the choice of which crops to buy and process depends solely on profitability. One of the main reasons for the limited real imports is the complex and lengthy licensing procedure introduced in October 2023 under a special regime approved by the European Commission. Most processors consider the process unclear and time-consuming, choosing not to apply for import licenses. As a result, Ukrainian goods entering Romania largely bypass the domestic market. “Calling these volumes record-breaking is an exaggeration. What we are seeing is merely technical transit through Constanța, not real import growth,” says Dimitrov. He notes that the utilization rate of Romania’s crushing facilities remains below potential, while the soybean market is well-balanced. Romanian ...