July 13, 2011

USDA reduces Ukrainian grain harvest forecast

The USDA has decreased the forecast of Ukrainian grain harvest by 3.4% or 1.5 million tonnes to 42.5 million tonnes this year, according to the report circulated by the department.

In particular, wheat harvest forecast was lowered by one million tonnes to 18 million tonnes compared with the June one.

Barley harvest expectations were lowered by one million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes against the June one.

The decline in grain crop harvest forecast resulted from dry weather in northern and central Ukraine which could adversely affect the development of crops and limited their vegetative growth and sprouting.

The latest July report increased corn yield harvest forecast from 15 million tonnes in June to 15.5 million tonnes. According to the media, the USDA forecast grain crop yield of 44 million tonnes in Ukraine in June 2011.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine predicts grain crop yield at 45 million tonnes.