March 26, 2012

Ukraine to produce 45 million tonnes grain in 2012

Despite the poor weather which has damaged about a third of winter grain crops, Ukraine is likely to harvest no less than 45 million tonnes of grain in 2012, the First Deputy Prime Minister Valery Khoroshkovsky said on Friday (Mar 23).

"Agricultural producers do not forecast a significant decrease in the grain harvest which could total 45-50 million tonnes this year," Khoroshkovsky told parliament.

"This harvest will cover all domestic needs and leaves some volume for foreign shipments".

Ukraine consumes 26 million tonnes of grain per season. The farm ministry said earlier this month the harvest could total 42-50 million tonnes in 2012 against a record 56.7 million in 2011.

Record drought in July-November and severe frosts in January-February affected grain crops in Ukraine's eastern and southern regions, forcing farmers to reseed the damaged areas with spring grains.

The ministry said in a report that farms had sown 8.4 million hectares of winter grains for the 2012 harvest while 7.3 million hectares had sprouted so far.