November 15, 2006

Ukraine's grain stocks 4.3 million tonnes lower than year-ago period

Ukraine's grain stocks on Nov 1 totalled 12.92 million tonnes, 4.3 million tonnes lower than on the same date last year, the state statistics committee reported Tuesday (Nov 14).

Wheat stocks on the date were also lower at 6.25 million tonnes, down from 8.16 million tonnes the year earlier.

Grain stocks held by farmers on Nov 1 totalled 6.34 million tonnes, including 2.58 million tonnes of wheat.

Grain stocks held by storage and grain processing enterprises totalled 6.58 million tonnes, including 3.68 million tonnes of wheat.

Ukraine's grain harvest this year is expected by the agriculture ministry to fall to about 35 million tonnes from 38 million tonnes last year due to adverse weather conditions.