October 12, 2009

 

Feed grains production in the Black Sea region will decrease about 19 million tonnes this year to 156 million tonnes, but the region will maintain its competitive edge, according to the US Grains Council (USGC) Thursday (Oct 8).

 

Total Black Sea feed grains exports are expected to drop to 38 million tonnes this year from last year's 50 million tonnes.

 

Ukraine's corn exports are placed at three million tonnes, while feed wheat and feed barley are forecasted at 5.6 million tonnes and six million tonnes, respectively.

 

Russia's corn production is projected at 4.7 million tonnes, down from last year's 6.7 million tonnes, while Russian barley output will decrease five million tonnes this year to 17.8 million tonnes, said USGC consultant in Russia, Alex Kholopov.

 

Russia will export only 100,000 tonnes or 200,000 tonnes of corn, a sharp decline from last year's record 1.3 million tonnes, said Kholopov. Russia is expected to export five million tonnes of feed wheat and 1.4 million tonnes of feed barley. The federation is also expected to have sufficient feed ingredients to remain competitive in the global market.

 

Russia and Ukraine will likely have 21 million tonnes of feed grains available for export, Kholopov added.