Ukraine grain exports plunge in October 2006

14 Nov, 2006

Ukraine's wheat exports fell by about 56 percent to 389,100 tonnes in October from 885,775 in September due to export restrictions introduced by the government, analysts said on Monday, quoting data from ports. ProAgro agriculture consultancy said in a statement the barley sales had also plunged to 495,500 tonnes in October from 1,172,383 in September.
The consultancy said Ukraine's pea exports had fallen to 39,000 tonnes from 100,683 in September while maize sales increased to 73,000 tonnes from 8,376 a month. Ukraine, which plans to harvest 35.1 million tonnes of grain in 2006, introduced quotas to limit exports of maize and barley to 600,000 tonnes each to the end of 2006. Wheat exports were limited to 400,000 tonnes and rye to 3,000 tonnes. But grain shipments from Ukrainian ports have been paralysed since November 2, with no indication of when they might be resumed as confusion persisted over the legality of shipments under a quota system.
Agriculture Minister Yuri Melnyk last week told Reuters the shipments might be resumed this week after the government completes an examination of previously issued export licences under quotas. The ministry said Ukraine was likely to export no more than 9.5 million tonnes of grain in the 2006/07 season (July-June) compared with about 13.5 million in 2005/06.

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