February 14, 2008

Ukraine resumes grain export

Ukraine has resumed grain exports, with a shipment of Ukrainian barley being dispatched after a protracted period of suspension of grain export, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association Vladimir Klimenko said Wednesday (February 13, 2008).

Ukraine has sharply limited its grain exports this marketing year after the government imposed an export quota of only 12,000 metric tonnes on July 1, 2007. This was increased to 1.2 million tonnes, to be in effect between Jan. 1 and March 31 to be divided between 163 grain exporting companies.

The economy ministry and the agriculture ministry are proposing an expansion in the quota for the current marketing year to 2.9 million tonnes, a move which is still under consideration.

Ukraine suffered a 5-million tonne drop in grain production for 2007 to 29.3 million tonnes, however, grain exporters maintain that the country still has the potential to export 4-5 million tonnes this marketing year.