Ukraine's grain exports fell to 722,300 tonnes in March 1-22 from 807,900 in the same period in February, according to UkrAgroConsult agriculture consultancy.

The consultancy said the volume had included 363,300 tonnes of wheat, 182,300 of barley and 168,600 of corn.

It also said additional 275,000 of grain could be exported in the near future. Ukraine exported about 17 million tonnes of grain in the first eight months of the 2009-10 season.

Grain traders said earlier this week the export might reach 22 million tonnes this season, but large government debts to exporters on Value Added Tax (VAT) could reduce the shipments to 20 million. Ukraine exported 25 million tonnes of grain in 2008-09.