July 2, 2010

Ukraine remains as world's third largest grain exporter

During the 2009/2010 marketing year (July 2009 through June 2010), with 21 million tonnes of grain exported, Ukraine remained the world's third largest grain exporter after the US and the EU.

This figure is above average, but not a record one. In the 2008/2009 season, Ukraine supplied 24.7 million tonnes of grain to foreign markets.

The active export of grain was seen in the first half of the marketing year, as over two million tonnes of grain was exported to the world market each month from July to December 2009. In 2010, the grain export dynamics has significantly dropped, amid a decline in world grain prices.

Wheat, corn and barley were still the main crops exported by Ukraine. During the past season, Ukraine exported more than nine million tonnes of wheat. Bangladesh and South Korea became the largest customers of this grain.

The country exported 5.2 million tonnes of corn, approximately the same amount exported last season. Egypt was the main buyer of corn.