Ukraine's 2009 grain crop is likely to reach 45 million tonnes, higher than previously expected, based on forecasts of the early grain and maize harvests given by Farm Minister Yuri Melnyk on Wednesday. The crop reached a record 53.3 million tonnes in 2008. Melnyk said the 2009 early grain harvest was nearly complete, with 36.3 million tonnes bunker weight harvested from 98 percent of the sowing area, including 21.2 million of wheat.
He told reporters the 2009 harvest of early grain would likely total 35 million tonnes clean weight, while the maize harvest could fall to 10 million from 11.4 million in 2008. This means the overall grain harvest could reach 45 million tonnes, which is higher than the 42-43 million that the ministry predicted previously.
Melnyk also said the ministry was considering raising its 2009/10 grain export forecast in view of this year's good crop, but gave no details. The ministry had forecast 2009/10 exports at about 17 million tonnes. Analysts have said the 2009 grain crop could total 40.7 million tonnes, including 19.4 million of wheat, 11.0 million of barley and 7.6 million of maize. They predicted 2009/10 grain exports will fall to 17.05 million tonnes from 24.4 million in 2008/09.
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