OREANDA-NEWS. On July 24, 2008 The Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry has assessed Ukraine's grain export potential for the current marketing year (July 2008 through June 2009) at the level of 17-18 million tons of grain.

In particular, the ministry assessed the possible export of wheat at the level of up to 10 million tons. The national consumption of food grain is expected to amount to 7,2 million tons in the current marketing year, and 14.3 million tons will be used for feed.

The Agriculture Ministry earlier forecast grain harvest in 2008 at the level of 40,4 million tons and grain export of 13,5-14 million tons in the 2008/2009 marketing year. However, the ministry has recently increased its forecast for gross grain harvest to 43 million tons.

As of July 23, Ukraine threshed nearly 16,6 million tons of early grain and leguminous crops on 5,08 million hectares or 40% of the target. The average yield is 32,6 centners per hectare, while in 2007 it was 20,5 centners per hectare.

According to preliminary reports, Ukraine exported 4,1 million tons of grain and products for its reprocessing in the 2007/2008 marketing year.