The role of grain exports in external commerce of Bessarabia (1812-1830)

In this paper the role of grain exports in commerce of Bessarabia, in the period between its annexation (1812) and the retrenchment of the Dniester custom and sanitary cordon (1830) is examined. Based on archival and published sources the author shows the main directions of the exports, the regulation of the grain exports by provincial administration and the role of commercial capital in the foreign grain trade of the Bessarabia. The main conclusions show that the exports were practiced mainly through Ismail, Reni and Odessa seaports, even though Bessarabia was a border province and had also land customs. The grain commerce was held by Greek and Armenian merchants that had strong relationships with commercial bourgeois from main European city-ports. The augmentation of grain exports from Bessarabia was curbed by intense regulation, because the province was used as quarter for important military troops.