January 30, 2009

Ukraine's 2009 grain crop is forecast to total 39.585 million tonnes, up from the previous 35.55 million tonnes, said UkrAgroConsult on Thursday (Jan 29).

Of the new amount, 19.1 million tonnes will be wheat, compared to the previous projection of 16.5 million tonnes.

The consultancy also boosted the 2009-10 grain export forecast to 18.97 million tonnes from the previous 15.27 million tonnes. Exports would include 9.5 million tonnes of wheat, 6 million tonnes of barley and 3.2 million tonnes of corn.

UkrAgroConsult said higher sowing area and yields were the main reason for the increase.

Wheat yield estimate was increased due to better weather conditions during this winter than previously expected, the agency said.

Grain sowing area may increase to 15.4 million hectares from the previous estimate of 14.8 million, while average grain yield could grow to 2.65 tonnes from 2.55 tonnes, according to UkrAgroConsult.