December 24, 2008

Ukraine appeals to EU to lift grain import restrictions

Ukraine has asked the EU to lift restrictions on the import of Ukrainian grain, said First Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov.

Turchynov said such restrictions under the conditions of Ukraine's membership in the World Trade Organisation are inadmissible.

On Wednesday (Dec 17), the Ukrainian Grain Association urged the Foreign Ministry to pay special attention to prohibitions imposed by EU countries in purchasing Ukrainian grains.

Ukraine harvested about 54 million tonnes of grain crops this year, up from 29.3 million tonnes last year.

In the current season, Ukraine's grain export potential totalled 18.6 million tonnes, a record high.