27 July 2020, 11:12, Grain

Grain export 1H 2020: key importing countries

In January-June 2020, Ukrainian grain exports totalled 25.5 mln t, while revenues remained close to the level of the corresponding period in 2019 – over USD 4.5 bln, Nikolai Pugachev, deputy director of the National Scientific Center Institute of Agrarian Economics of NAAS, reports.

In the first half of 2020, 5.6 mln t of wheat (USD 1.1 bln), 18.5 mln t of corn (USD 3.1 bln), 1.3 mln t of barley (USD 0.2 bln) were traded abroad. Countries in Africa, Asia and Europe remained the largest buyers of Ukrainian grain in the reporting period.

"The change in the list of major importers of Ukrainian grain in comparison with the relevant period last year was a characteristic feature of 1H 2020 as South Korea and Bangladesh joined this list," said Nikolai Pugachev.

He noted that Egypt, previously dominating the rating of key importers of Ukrainian grains, was outrun by China in 1H 2020: the country's share of total supply reached 14.8%.

Largest importing countries in 1H 2020 by shares:

  • China: 14.8%
  • Egypt: 14.3%
  • Netherlands: 7.7%
  • Spain: 7.3%
  • Turkey: 6.6%
  • South Korea: 4.9%
  • Iran: 4.1%
  • Tunisia: 3.8%
  • Bangladesh: 3.2%

"These countries bring Ukrainian exporters a total of 2/3 of revenues from grain trade on foreign markets," Pugachev summed up.

As a reminder, since the start of 2020/21, staple grains export shipment from Ukraine has reached 1.14 mln t. As of July 24, agricultural commodities shipment reduced by 1.32 mln t from the prior year's comparative period.

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