Ukraine kicks off new-crop grain exports

Ukraine has kicked off new-crop grain exports with the sale of 300,000 tons overseas, Agriculture Minister Mykola Prysyazhnyuk said Monday. \"Overall, this year\'s grain exports may be the largest in the history of independent Ukraine,\" Prysyazhnyuk said during his visit to eastern Kharkov region. Ukraine is estimated to ship abroad 24 to 26 million tons of grain this marketing year, which ends on June 30, 2014, Prysyazhnyuk said. When the new season started on July 1, Ukraine\'s carry-over stocks were at 9 million tons. The Agriculture Ministry forecast that the country\'s grain harvest will exceed 53 million tons in 2013, while annual domestic consumption is estimated at 28 million tons. The East European country, known as the breadbasket of Europe, last year reaped 46.2 million tons of grain and saw cereals exports at 23 million tons in 2012-2013 marketing season.