KIEV, UKRAINE — Ukraine’s wheat seaport exports slipped to 138,000 tonnes during the March 28-April 3 week, almost a 50% reduction compared to the previous week, Reuters reported citing APK-Inform.

Despite a fall in wheat exports the country’s overall grain exports increased to 1.02 million tonnes due to corn shipments, Reuters said.

Ukrainian bakers and millers have asked the government to limit exports of grains and related products to maintain bread prices due to the coronavirus.

In response, the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture plans to control wheat export shipments, sell flour domestically and agree with traders on a maximum volume of wheat for export, Reuters said.

UGA, the nation’s major traders union, said it agreed with a proposal to limit wheat exports to 20.2 million tonnes in 2019-20.

Ukraine harvested a record 75.1 million tonnes of grain in 2019, up from 70 million in 2018.

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