Ukraine Grain Exports Dip in January

KIEV - Mar 12/03 - APK -- Grain export from Ukraine in January 2003 constituted 935,000 metric tons (MT), which is by 674,000 MT or 42% less than in the previous month. It is also by 1,300 MT less than in January 2002.

Shipments of all basic items of grain crops in January decreased compared with December volumes. Export of wheat dropped by 546,000 MT or 53% - down to 476,000 MT, which was one of the consequences of news grain import system, introduced by EU countries.

Export of barley decreased by 32,000 MT or 11% - to 255,000 MT. Rye exports dropped significantly - by 66%, to 40,000 MT. There was also a decrease of maize and peas shipments.

Total grain export from Ukraine over the 7 months of 2002-03 season (since July to January) was 9.09 million MT against 5.9 million MT shipped over the same periods of the 2001-02 marketing year. Taking into account the export in February, which is assessed by APK-Inform experts at about 800,000 MT, total grain exports by the start of March must have reached some 9.9 million MT. Also, by now exchanges have registered export contracts for another 11.3 million MT of grains.

Over 2001-02 marketing year Ukraine exported a total of 9 million MT of grain, which figure must in all probability be exceeded in the current MY. APK-Inform is estimating the export to reach 12 million MT.

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