Ukraine will likely reach its wheat export quota for the 2020-21 marketing year by next March or April, traders told Reuters.
Traders and the Ukrainian government have agreed that the volume of wheat available for export this July-June season must not exceed 17.5 million tons.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led some countries to impose quotas on grain exports for the current marketing year to ensure adequate domestic supplies.
Meanwhile, Ukraine grain production in 2020-21 could fall to 68 million tons, down from a record 75 million tons due to severe drought across most parts of the country.
Winter crop sowing includes 4.6 million hectares of winter wheat, or 76% of the expected area, and 628,300 hectares of winter barley, or 66% of the anticipated area.
As of Oct. 23, Ukraine had exported 10 million tons of wheat (about 57% of the quota), according to data from the Ukraine economy ministry. It also showed that the country’s overall grain exports have fallen by nearly 13% so far this season.
Traders told Reuters that an additional 1 million tons of wheat was due to be exported in the coming weeks and at least 3 million tons of wheat had already been contracted for future exports.
Ukraine wrapped up harvest and began sowing winter crops
Ukraine has harvested 80% of its sown area and planting of winter crops is 76% complete, was reported by Ukraine’s economy ministry.
A total of 47.4 million tons of grain was harvested from 12.3 million hectares as of Oct. 19. Farmers have completed wheat and barley harvest and collected about 44% of the corn sown area.
Grain totals could fall to 68 million tons, down from a record 75 million tons due to severe drought across most parts of the country, was said. Winter crop sowing includes 4.6 million hectares of winter wheat, or 76% of the expected area, and 628,300 hectares of winter barley, or 66% of the anticipated area.