KIEV, UKRAINE — Ukraine does not plan to impose limitations on grain exports in the new market year, said Nikolai Azarov, prime minister of Ukraine, on July 3.

Azarov said the government expects for a reasonably good grain harvest, and does not plan to impose any limitations like in 2010.

He stressed that the government hopes to keep the position of Ukraine on the world grain market in the current market year. The Prime Minister reminded that last season the country faced difficult weather conditions, in particular the autumn drought, cold winter and dry spring events.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, the general grain exports from Ukraine in the new market year (July 2012 - June 2013) may total nearly 26 million tonnes. The export growth is expected, despite the forecasted decrease of grain yield in the current year.

Last market year (July 2011 - June 2012) Ukraine exported 21.8 million tonnes of grains, up 81% compared to the previous market year. Grain export trading in the third quarter was slowed down by the action of export duties.

In 2011, Ukraine produced a record harvest of 56.7 million tonnes of grains, up 44.3% compared to 2010 results. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy forecasts grain harvest in 2012 within the range of 45-50 million tonnes.