GAFTA expects for improvement of work on the grain market of Ukraine

The Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) hopes for improvement of work on the grain market of Ukraine next year at the expense of establishment of the clear and predictable rules of its functioning, stated Anna Golodova, the Director of the Office of GAFTA in Ukraine, on December 16.

According to the Director, the situation on the grain market of Ukraine in the current marketing year causes concern to the world grain public.

Vladimir Klimenko, the President of Ukrainian Grain Association, also hopes that problems of grain exports from Ukraine will be solved in accordance with civilized rules, and the country will supply grains volumes on the foreign markets, provided by balances.

According to him, since the beginning of the current MY Ukraine exported about 0.8 mln tonnes of maize and 2.1 mln tonnes of barley and wheat.

V.Klimenko noted that to date grain export trading from Ukraine is realized in accordance with the previously issued licenses, which are valid till December 31, 2010. At the same time, he doubts that grain traders will be able to export quoted grains volumes before January 1, 2011.

The President of Ukrainian Grain Association also announced that the new Tax Codex provides VAT refund cancellation for grain exporters. According to him, it will cause grain purchasing prices decrease from July 1, 2011, by 20%. He is assured that the VAT refund for grain exporters is necessary to be saved, due to the fact that the norm cancellation may cause the essential grain production profitability slump and grain production volumes decrease in the country.

Ukraine sowed winter crops throughout 9.25 mln ha

Ukrainian agricultural enterprises of all categories sowed winter crops throughout the areas of 9.258 mln ha for the harvest-2011, down 8.1% compared to the previous year results, declared the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on December 15.

In particular, Ukraine sowed winter grains throughout the areas of 8.088 mln ha, a decrease of 5.5% compared to the previous year. Winter wheat sowing areas totaled 6.55 mln ha, rye – 287.8 thsd ha, barley – 1.246 mln ha.

Besides, winter rapeseed sowing areas occupied 1.082 mln ha, down 23.7% compared to indices of the last year.