During the last 10 years Ukraine has increased cereal crops exports to record volumes – in 2019 it amounted to 56,7 million tons, and this is 4 times more than in 2010.

Mykola Puhachov, the Deputy Director of the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agrarian Economy” reported that during the last decade Ukraine had essentially increased grain exports volumes. The last year one more record was set: Ukraine exported 56,7 million tons of grain to the foreign markets. This number 4 times exceeded the number of 2010 and it was also 36% more in comparison with 2018.

He also added that the overall increase of Ukrainian grain exports by volume led to its highest value in the history of Ukraine. It was 9,6 billion USD.

He also informed that a new record was also set by the volumes of corn exports – 32,2 million tons. Its number exceeded the number of 2018 by 51% (by 21,4 million tons) and it was almost 8 times more than in 2010.     

Moreover, wheat exports volumes in 2019 were the highest since Ukraine’s independence. Its number was 20,0 million tons and it was 22% more than in 2018 and it 4 times exceeded the number of 2010. Supplies of barley to foreign markets in 2019 increased by 0,5 million tons in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 4,1 million tons. Talking about rye exports, in 2019 it decreased by 87% and amounted to 13 thousand tons.

According to the information provided by Mykola Puhachov, the biggest buyers of Ukrainian grain in 2019 were, as usual, Asian, African and European countries. The list of top-10 importers of Ukrainian grain changed a little and such countries as Turkey, Bangladesh and Israel joined this list. But the leading position in this list since 2011 traditionally belongs to Egypt. Last year this country imported 97% (1,311 billion USD) of Ukrainian grain more than in 2018. Its share in total Ukrainian exports of this type of agricultural products was 13,6%.

China, which in 2018 occupied the 4^th place in the top-10 list, in 2019 moved to the 2^nd position. It increased purchases of Ukrainian grain by almost 56%, from 552 million USD in 2018 to 859 million USD according to the results of 2019. Its share in total Ukrainian exports of this type of agricultural products was 8,9%.

Last year Spain occupied the 3^rd place in the top-10 list, having bought grain from Ukraine worth 765 million USD (7,9 %). This number exceeded the volumes of 2018 by 19% (643 million USD).

Turkey, which is the absolute “new comer” in the top-10 list, last year imported grain worth 718 million USD. Its share in total Ukrainian exports of this type of agricultural products was 7,5%. For you to compare: in 2018 Ukraine exported to Turkey grain worth 184 million USD.

Bangladesh and Israel also joined the top-10 list, having bought grain worth 421 million USD (4,4 %) and 317 million USD (3,3%).

The other countries from the list are: the Netherlands (624 million USD), Indonesia (538 million USD), Tunisia (293 million USD) and Italy (283 million USD).

These 10 countries make almost 63% of total value of grain products exports.

To sum up Mykola Puhachov said that the increase in domestic grain exports continues in the current marketing year. During the first half of 2019/20 marketing year, Ukraine has sold 30,5 million tons of grain.

Reference source: UKRINFORM