Corn exports from Ukraine expected at 26.2 mln t

The forecast for corn export potential rose to 26.2 million tons due to adjustments in the forecast for supply and distribution of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine in MY2018/19, the APK-Inform consultancy reports.

The projection of corn export potential is the highest since records began.

“China’s reducing corn stocks policy is a strong risk factor which may slightly reduce the demand from one of Ukraine’s key partners in this segment. Also, a certain pressure is exerted by the expected increase in corn exports from Brazil and Argentina in the current season. Thus, taking into account these global factors, as well as the peculiarities of domestic logistics in Ukraine, the forecasted export potential is rather optimistic,” said Andrei Kupchenko, the grain market analyst at APK-Inform.

Within three months of the new season, Ukraine exported 5.5 million tons of corn to the EU countries, 2.6 times more than the volumes of the corresponding period of the previous season. Import growth is estimated by USDA experts at 14 pct up to 21 million tons.

In September-January 2018/19, Ukraine exported 11.4 million tons of corn, which is 74.5 pct more than the corresponding indicator of the previous season (6.5 million tons) and 35.7 pct higher than an average five-year level for the indicated period (8.4 million tons).

The new infographic guide Agribusiness of Ukraine 2017/18 is available by the link.