January 16, 2012

USDA increases Ukraine's 2011 grain harvest forecast by 2.8%

Ukraine's 2011 grain harvest forecast has been improved by USDA by 2.8% or 1.5 million tonnes to 55 million tonnes, the USDA said in a report.

In particular, compared with its previous forecast, the USDA increased the forecast for the yield of Ukrainian corn by 1.5 million tonnes, to 22.5 million tonnes, whereas the forecast for other grain crops remained unchanged.

The forecast for the gross yield of corn was increased due to the expected increase in the average crop yield from six tonnes per hectare to 6.43 tonnes per hectare.

The assessment of the domestic consumption of corn was raised by 250,000 tonnes, to eight million tonnes, while the forecast for ending stocks was increased by 1.24 million tonnes, to 3.55 million tonnes.

As reported, in October 2011, the USDA improves its forecast for Ukraine's grain harvest in 2011 by 6%, to 53.1 million tonnes.

The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry expects the country's grain harvest in 2011 to reach 56.4 million tonnes in weight after threshing.