The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in December raised its forecast for the export of sunflower oil from Ukraine in the 2019/2020 marketing year (MY, September-August) by 200,000 tonnes compared to the November forecast, to 6.2 million tonnes, sunflower meal by 100,000 tonnes, to 4.85 million tonnes. According to a December report posted on the agency’s website, the forecast for sunflower exports from Ukraine this month is increased by 50,000 tonnes, to 150,000 tonnes.
In addition, in December the U.S. Department of Agriculture improved its forecast for a sunflower crop by 1 million tonnes, to 15.5 million tonnes, production of sunflower meal by 380,000 tonnes, to 6.28 million tonnes, sunflower oil by 390,000 tonnes, to 6.54 million tonnes.
In general, the forecast for export of oilseeds from Ukraine in December is increased by 20,000 tonnes compared to the forecast in November, to 4.85 million tonnes, oilseed processing by 900,000 tonnes, to 17.22 million tonnes, meal exports by 100,000 tonnes, to 5.8 million tonnes, export of vegetable oil by 200,000 tonnes, to 6.68 million tonnes.
As reported, with reference to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, in 2018 Ukraine harvested 13.7 million tonnes of sunflower, 4.4 million tonnes of soybeans, and 2.6 million tonnes of rapeseeds.
Ascania-Pack, part of the multi-profile Ukrainian holding Ascania, in January-November 2019 reduced production and export of honey by 20% compared to the same period last year, to 5,200 tonnes due to export of packaged honey and the uncertainty of prices, development director of Ascania-Pack Viktor Ivanchenko has said.
“For 11 months of 2018, the company exported and actually produced 6,500 tonnes of honey, for the same period in 2019 some 5,200 tonnes. The reduction in volumes was due to uncertain prices and export prospects in the second half of the year. We did not know whether the price will grow or fall, but we didn’t want to play roulette. In addition, we focused on export of packaged honey. From the point of view of added value, this is much more interesting,” he said.
Ivanchenko noted that over the 11 months of this year, Ascania-Pack exported three times more packaged honey compared to the entire last year and plans to increase these volumes both in the domestic and foreign markets.
“We have determined for ourselves the volume of bulk exports, which is sufficient for us. Now we focus on the sale of packaged honey in the domestic market and on export. Today we export more packaged honey than we sell in the domestic market. This year we we’ll export about 130 tonnes of packaged honey. But we would like the share of packaged honey to be at least 25%, and then 50% of the total production,” he said.
Ascania-Pack supplies packaged honey to 14 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States, and Canada and is constantly working on expanding its export geography. In addition, the company received Halal certificate in 2018 and plans to receive Kosher next year.
Ukrainian foreign trade turnover in Jan-Sept 2019 (export)
Main trade partners of Ukraine in % from total volume (export from Ukraine to other countries) in Jan-Sept 2019
Ukraine since the beginning of the agricultural year 2019/2020 (July-June) and as of December 6, 2019 had exported 26 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops, which is 35.3% more than on the same time in the past agri-year. According to the information and analytical portal of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine, the country has currently exported 13.73 million tonnes of wheat, 8.44 million tonnes of corn, and 3.51 million tonnes of barley.
As of December 6 of this year, 160,600 tonnes of flour had been also exported.
As reported, Ukraine in the 2018/2019 agri-year exported a record 50.4 million tonnes of grain, legumes and flour, which is 23% more than in the previous agri-year.
Ukraine since the beginning of the marketing year 2019/2020 (MY, July-June) and as of December 2, 2019 had exported 24.81 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops, which is 32% more than on the same time in the past MY.
According to the information and analytical portal of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine, the country has currently exported 13.47 million tonnes of wheat, 7.52 million tonnes of corn, and 3.5 million tonnes of barley.
As of December 2 of this year, 156,500 tonnes of flour had been also exported.
As reported, Ukraine in the 2018/2019 MY exported a record 50.4 million tonnes of grain, legumes and flour, which is 23% more than in the previous MY.
