Ukraine's grain exports to hit record high: minister

Ukraine's grain export is forecasted to reach a record high of 39.8 million tons in the current marketing year, which runs from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, the country's Agriculture Minister Taras Kutovyi said Thursday.

"Taking into account the large carry-over stocks, we will have some 70 million tons of grain available, while the domestic consumption would be about 23.5 million tons. Our exports potential is estimated at 39.8 million tons," Kutovyi said at a cabinet meeting.

Ukrainian farmers have already reaped about 38 million tons of grain, including 25.5 million tons of wheat, he said, adding that more than a half of the harvested wheat is of high-grade.

The output of other crops is also projected to be good as the average grain yield has increased this year to 4.9 tons per hectare compared with 4.1 tons last year, according to the minister.

In 2015, Ukraine has harvested 59.96 million tons of grain and supplied abroad some 39.5 million tons in the 2015-2016 marketing year, the highest exports amount ever reported.

Source: XINHUA