Ukrainian domestic milling wheat prices fell to an average 1,156 hryvnias per tonne ($150) EXW on February 20 from 1,432 hryvnias on the same date in 2008, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. The ministry said in a statement that feed wheat prices had also fallen to 829 hryvnias ($108) per tonne EXW (ex-farm) compared with 1,201 hryvnias a year earlier.
The average barley price fell to 867 hryvnias per tonne EXW from 1,261 hryvnias, while maize prices fell to 890 hryvnias from 1,211 hryvnias. The ministry gave no explanation for the fall. Analysts have said a jump in the 2008 grain harvest was the main reason for the lower prices. The hryvnia has fallen sharply against the dollar over the past year.
Ukraine's 2008 grain crop rose to 53.3 million tonnes from 29.3 million in 2007. Last year's harvest included 25.9 million tonnes of wheat, 12.6 million of barley and 11.4 million of maize. The agriculture ministry has said a higher harvest will allow it to increase grain exports to about 25 million tonnes in the 2008/09 season from about 4 million in 2007/08, when grain was subject to export restrictions.
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