August 16, 2007

Ukraine seen to harvest 6.4 million tonnes of corn this year

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Slauta said corn harvest is expected to reach 6.4 million tonnes this year with total grain harvest amounting to around 30 million tonnes.

Slauta earlier predicted the 2007 grain harvest would amount to 27 to 29 million tonnes.

The country already threshed 22.6 million tonnes of grain from 96 percent of its sowed area, he said. Farmers are expected to harvest 15 million tonnes of wheat.

During this market year (from July 2007 to June 2008), Ukraine will be able to export  5 to 6 million tonnes of grain, whereas the earlier export forecast ranged between three and five million tonnes, he said.

The government is planning to consider further regulation for grain exports, in cooperation with market participants. The minister said it would still be discussed whether to impose a quota on grain exports or lift all restrictions.