Ukraine's ProAgro agriculture consultancy said on Tuesday it had increased its 2004 grain crop forecast to about 34.419 million tonnes compared with a previous forecast of 33.940 million.
Ukraine harvested 20.2 million tonnes in 2003 and 38.8 million tonnes in 2002. ProAgro agriculture consultancy said in a statement better weather, fewer losses during winter and spring and a higher yield were the main reasons for the higher grain crop outlook.
Analysts said Ukraine was likely to harvest more than 15 million tonnes of wheat in 2004 compared with 3.6 million in 2003.
Ukraine's barley crop might total 9.6 million tonnes of barley from 6.8 million tonnes last year.
Agriculture officials have said Ukraine's grain crop might reach up to 35 million tonnes this year.