October 20, 2009
Ukraine to slow grain exports after bumper sales
Ukraine is likely to slow grain exports after record sales in the first half of 2009-10, due to an increase in local prices and competition with other exporters, an industry expert said Monday (Oct 19).
Serhiy Feofilov, director of Kiev-based UkrAgroConsult agriculture consultancy said exports had already exceeded eight million tonnes and large shipments were likely to continue in October and November.
However, exports could decrease in December and January as importers' interest for Ukrainian grain declines due to higher local prices, said Feofilov.
Exporters have sold 6.7 million tonnes of grain in July-September 2009, up from 6.5 million tonnes in the same period last year. UkrAgroConsult expects grain exports to reach 19 million tonnes this season, including 8.35 million tonnes of wheat, 6.1 million tonnes of barley and 4.3 million tonnes of corn.
