By KYIV. Nov 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) has once again updated its assessment of the potential harvest of grain and oilseed crops in 2023, raising it by 1.1 million tonnes to 81.6 million tonnes, which is 10.6% more than in 2022 (73.8 million tonnes), the press service of the association has reported.
“The constant growth of the harvest forecast this year is explained by favorable weather conditions and higher crop yields. This year, the harvest was improved by an increase of the expected harvest of corn and sunflower,” the association’s press service said.
According to the association’s forecasts, Ukraine could export about 50 million tonnes of grain in the 2023-2024 marketing year. Export reached 58 million tonnes in the previous year, which ended on June 30, 2023, the association said.
“Such export volumes in the new season can only be achieved if Ukraine is able to export through its Black Sea ports, as well as by improving and reducing the cost of logistics of alternative routes, including the Danube route. Exporting grain through Ukrainian ports and ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea – this is the only way to quickly and efficiently supply Ukrainian grain to countries that desperately need it,” the UGA said.
The assessment of the wheat harvest in 2023 remained at the level of 22 million tonnes, the press service said. According to preliminary information of the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, 22.4 million tonnes of wheat have already been harvested. The association expects export of grain in the amount of 16 million tonnes in the 2023-2024, including carryover balances of 4.4 million tonnes.
The barley harvest forecast remains at 5.8 million tonnes, whereas, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, 5.9 million tonnes of barley have already been harvested, and its potential export was estimated at 3 million tonnes.
The association increased its forecast of the corn harvest by 800,000 tonnes to 28.8 million tonnes, while preliminary reports of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food as of November 2 show that 17.1 million tonnes from 60% of crops have already been harvested, and export could reach about 23 million tonnes.
The sunflower harvest is expected in the amount of 14.2 million tonnes this year, and export in the amount of 600,000 tonnes. A total of 11.3 million tonnes of sunflower have been harvested as of November 2, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said.
The association estimates the harvest of rapeseed at 4.2 million tonnes and export at 3.7 million tonnes. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, a total of 4 million tonnes of rapeseed were harvested.
The soybean harvest is expected in the amount of 4.8 million tonnes and potential export in the amount of 3.3 million tonnes. According to preliminary reports of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, 4.6 million tonnes have been harvested.
