Ukraine exports almost 6.5 million tonnes of wheat since the beginning of marketing year
Actual grain export volumes made up 19.86 million tonnes since the beginning of 2012/2013 marketing year. In particular, 6.47 million tonnes of wheat was shipped to foreign markets, 11 million tonnes of corn and over 2 million tonnes of barley.
05.04.2013 Source: Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry / Ukrinform

Crop yield in Ukraine may exceed previous year's yield by 8-10 million tonnes
The crop yield in the current year, despite the weather abnormalities at the end of March, may be 54-56 million tonnes, which is 8-10 million up against 2012. This forecast was made public by Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAC) Serhiy Stoyanov at a press conference in Kyiv. Last year, the crop yield made up 46.2 million tonnes against 56.7 million tonnes in 2011.
03.04.2013 Source: UAC / Ukrinform

Ukraine's export potential requires intensive development of grain market infrastructure
Grain harvest in Ukraine in 2015 may reach 60 million tonnes, and the harvest of oil-bearing crops 14 million tonnes, which will significantly increase the export potential of the agricultural sector. At the same time, infrastructure support for the bread market is becoming vital, APK-Inform experts say. "Exports of bulk agricultural products (including grain and oilseed processing products) from Ukraine in 2015 may reach 41.4 million tonnes. However, to ensure effective transportation of these volumes, certified grain storage capacities are required for a total of 45.5 million tonnes, as well as 8.1 thousand specialized road carriers with a capacity of more than 30 tonnes, 11.9 thousand rail carriers, and the possibility of carriage of about 5.6 million tonnes of bulk cargos by rivers to sea ports," experts say.
02.04.2013 Source: APK-Inform

Kazakhstan interested in Ukrainian agricultural technologies
Kazakhstan is interested in taking over Ukrainian agroindustrial technologies. This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bakitzhan Sagintayev during a meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. He added that Kazakhstan is set to employ Ukrainian technologies for growing soy, poultry farming, agricultural machinery building, etc.
02.04.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine's agricultural exports in 2012 reached almost USD 18 billion
Ukraine last year delivered to foreign markets livestock products, crops, fats and oils of animal or vegetable origin, as well as ready-made food worth USD 17.9 billion, while imports of goods amounted to USD 7.4 billion. Exports of agricultural products in the first two months of 2013 rose compared to January-February 2012 by 26.3%, up to USD 3 billion, and imports - 31.5%, USD 1.4 billion.
Major importers of Ukrainian agricultural products were the Russian Federation, India and Spain.
28.03.2013 Source: State Statistics Office of Ukraine

Grain logistics modernization planned for 2013-2014
A meeting of the Public Council under the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food considered the basic measures provided in the programme aimed at intensifying the development of the economy in 2013-2014 and is directly related to the agricultural sector. In particular, it is about modernization of grain logistics and Ukraine's place in the world grain market, the ministry said in a statement. "To ensure the positive pace in 2013-2014 it is planned to implement large-scale investment projects in livestock, improve the mechanisms of state support to purchase modern domestic agricultural machinery, and increase the area of perennial crops, create raw material zones for the development of production of safe and quality food," said Serhiy Petrenko, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Development of the Agrarian Market.
Special attention will be paid to the renewal and modernization of the irrigation system in the south of Ukraine, development of agricultural market infrastructure, creating a base of the Agrarian Fund of PJSC "Agrofinfond", construction and reconstruction of bakeries and the reopening of distilleries.
21.03.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Foreign investors interested in Ukrainian farm machinery
The Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine continues to contribute towards the implementation of joint investment projects with the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural equipment. "Thus, last week the manufacturing facilities of SE PA Makarov Southern Machine-Building Plant were inspected. In particular, attention was paid to the production of standard series of 70-90 hp, 100-130 hp and 190 hp tractors," the agriculture ministry reported. As noted, a working group examined the issues of implementing investment projects for the production of modern tractors in cooperation with the leading international manufacturers.
18.03.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine world's leader by sunflower oil exports
From the beginning of 2012/2013 marketing year, Ukraine exported sunflower oil for USD 2 billion, having supplied to foreign markets more than 1.7 million tonnes, which is 26% more than in the same period of the previous MY. "In the current marketing year, Ukraine ranks the world's first in terms of trade in sunflower oil. And this is 50% of the global market. That is, it is possible to say that each second liter of sunflower oil sold in the world was produced in Ukraine. Overall, since the beginning of the current MY, Ukraine has put out two million tonnes of this product, and approximately 80% of this amount was sent to foreign markets," minister said. According to Prysiazhniuk, domestic manufacturers are actively expanding the geography of sunflower oil exports. Thus, today's main importing countries are India - 30%, Egypt - 16%, EU - 16-18% and Turkey - 11%. The deliveries of this product to China and Iran are also increasing.
15.03.2013 Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukraine may enter Grain Twenty
Ukraine, together with the world's largest grain-producing countries, may create Grain Twenty.
This was dealt with during the meeting between the Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, and Director of the Agribusiness Department of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Gilles Mettetal. "This organization should unite the world's largest grain producers. Ukraine is preparing to join it, too," the ministry says.
In turn, Mettetal expressed support for the initiative the minister of agriculture of France on the establishment of Grain Twenty, a significant place in which may be taken by Ukraine. In addition, during the meeting the sides discussed EBRD's cooperation with Ukraine's agribusiness, and agreed to continue it in grain growing, poultry farming and machine-building.
"I am pleased that all the projects that you support in Ukraine's agricultural sector with lending are successful. And every year the line of agricultural products made by Ukrainian enterprises credited by the Bank is expanding. This is very important," Prysiazhniuk said. He reminded that the total volume of EBRD's investments in the agricultural business in Ukraine is now more than USD 1.5 billion.
15.03.2013 Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukraine can export grain 40% up next marketing year
Next marketing year (July 2013 - June 2014), Ukraine can export approximately 32 million tonnes of grain, which is 40% up against the previous year. This forecast was made public by the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA). “We expect that exports will be 10 million tonnes up against the previous year indexes,” UGA President Volodymyr Klymenko has said.
14.03.2013 Source: UGA / Ukrinform

Government manages to overcome downward trend in meat production
The Cabinet of Ministers managed to overcome a downward trend in meat production in 2012 and Ukrainians started to consume more meat by results of the year, Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov has said at the government meeting. He added that as of December 2012, cattle stock made up 4.7 million heads and grew by 4.5% against the same period of 2011, pig population grew to 7.5 million heads. The largest growth took place in the poultry industry - by 7.8% t? 206.4 million heads.
13.03.2013 Source: UGA / Ukrinform

Almost all winter crops in good state
According to the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, the state of winter grain crops is estimated as good and satisfactory on 91% of sown areas, weak and spaced - on 8% of the acreage. He added that although spring is not hurrying to the majority of Ukrainian regions, spring field works have already started on the South and in Crimea.
13.03.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Grain exports to South Africa over USD 100 million last year
The share of wheat and corn in total exports of Ukrainian domestic products to the Republic of South Africa increased significantly in 2012. In particular, these crops were delivered to South Africa for USD 100.5 million, with total bilateral trade standing at USD 171.2 million. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, stressed that the Ukrainian side is interested in cooperation with the South African Republic. In particular, Ukraine proposes starting the supply of poultry products, vegetable oil and sugar to the South African market. In addition, in the near future it is planned to deepen cooperation in the development of agricultural market infrastructure, poultry farming, the use of advanced technologies for the production of natural fertilizers, as well as industrial education and research.
12.03.2013 Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukraine, Russia may provoke EU's interest as new areas for agricultural production
The development of agriculture can be one of the reasons for stable economic development of the European Union. Ukraine and Russia at the same time may find themselves in a circle of new regions for agricultural production. This opinion was expressed by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during the 6th European Forum for the Future of Agriculture.
11.03.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine exports over 18.2 million tonnes of grain crops since beginning of 2012/2013 marketing year
Since the beginning of 2012/2013 marketing year, agricultural producers supplied 18.2 million tonnes of grain crops to foreign markets, which is 5 million tonnes up against the same period of the previous MY. In particular, as of March 5, agricultural producers exported 9.7 million tonnes of corn, about 6.2 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of barley.
This marketing year, 7.7 million tonnes of grain crops were exported to the European Union countries. In addition, for today, Ukraine is a leader on supply of corn to England.
11.03.2013 Source: Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry

Meat consumption will rise to 55.3 kg per capita in a year
This year, the consumption of meat per capita in Ukraine will be 55.3 kilograms due to better performance in the livestock industry (last year - 54.4 kg), the Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, reported. According to him, the increase in meat consumption will owe to support for the producers who grow livestock and poultry.
04.03.2013 Source: Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry

Farmers expect grain yield of 56 million tonnes
Ukrainian farmers expect to harvest 56 million tonnes of grain in 2013. This forecast was voiced by President of the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) Volodymyr Klymenko. According to him, this will make it possible to increase the export of grain from 22 to 30 million tonnes in the next marketing year.
01.03.2013 Source: UGA

Ukraine, France to deepen cooperation in agriculture
Ukraine and France will deepen cooperation in the sphere of land relations, plant growing and veterinary medicine. This issue was discussed on Tuesday at a meeting between Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk and French Ambassador to Ukraine Alain Remy.
"Promising cooperation with France in the agricultural sector is currently a priority for us. Therefore, we will make efforts to ensure that cooperation between our countries is at a high level. French experience in the agricultural sector is valuable to us, because we can use it in Ukraine," Prysiazhniuk said. He also stressed the importance of the French government's decision to create the post of a technical adviser on agriculture at the Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry in order to establish Ukrainian-French relations in the agricultural sector.
Remy, in turn, expressed his interest in continuing effective Ukrainian-French cooperation. He proposed speeding up the work of the Ukrainian-French working group on agriculture as part of the bilateral economic commission. "There are many reasons for France and Ukraine, as the largest agricultural producers in Europe, to intensify bilateral cooperation. For example, among the existing opportunities for cooperation international agricultural exhibitions are a priority," Remy said.
The positive dynamics of trade in agricultural products between Ukraine and France has been preserved in recent years. In 2012 compared with 2011, trade in agricultural products between the two countries grew by USD 167.09 million.
19.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukraine earns USD 316 million on meat export in 2012
In 2012, Ukraine exported meat and meat products at USD 316 million. Beef export grew by 95% against 2011 and made up 8,996 tonnes. Pork exports made up USD 92.6 million - 20,208 tonnes were supplied. The largest volumes of meat and byproducts of home poultry meat were exported in 2012 - 80,653 tonnes to the amount of USD 145.2 million. Therefore, export volumes of pork and poultry grew by 62%.
18.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Agrarian farmers sell over 117,000 tonnes of cattle and poultry in January
In January 2013, Ukrainian agricultural farmers sold 117,300 tonnes of cattle and poultry in live weight, which is 4.3% less against the sale volume in January 2012. According to a statement, last month, the sale volumes of cattle made up 14,400 tonnes, which is 19.6% up against the same results of January 2012. Selling of pigs grew by 8.6% in January 2013 against the same month of the previous year and made up 31,000 tonnes. At the same time, the sale volume of poultry in January 2013 reduced by 12.6% against January 2012 and made up 71,300 tonnes.
15.02.2013 Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine

Ukraine, Hungary to exchange seed grains
Ukraine and Hungary have expressed interest in cooperation in the exchange of seed material and the development of new crop varieties. Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk discussed this issue at a meeting with Hungary's Rural Development Minister, Dr. Sandor Fazekas. The meeting covered such promising areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Hungary as export/import of breeding (genetic) resources of meat and milk cattle, sheep, horses, and poultry products. In 2012, trade in agricultural products between Ukraine and Hungary compared to 2011 increased by 25% and amounted to USD 246.3 million. The amount of export of Ukrainian goods increased by 16% to USD 61.4 million.
15.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Over UAH 2 billion will be allocated to finance farm machinery leasing
The state budget of Ukraine for 2013 provides UAH 166.8 million to finance technical support for agriculture. The agriculture ministry has proposed increasing this year the funding of state support on financial leasing terms by 830 million UAH, and in 2014 the amount is expected to increase by 1.3 billion UAH. Now the agriculture ministry is working to solve the tasks of creating the production of modern farm machinery by domestic companies with investments. Thus, proposals were included into the program for extending state guarantees in the amount of UAH 1.5 billion in 2013, and UAH 3.5 billion in 2014. Today, the financial leasing mechanism is considered to be a major tool to stimulate technical modernization of Ukraine's agro-industrial complex. However, the state budget for 2013 provides only 166.8 million UAH for promoting the purchase of priority equipment.
14.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Farmers waiting for Land Bank opening
This year, the State Land Bank will provide farmers with loans at interest rates two times lower than the current rates of commercial banks. And cooperation of the Land Bank with the EBRD will help attract additional loans for farmers and improve regulation in the turnover of agricultural land. This year, the Land Bank must already begin its work. However, to fulfill its mission as a specialized agency for mortgage crediting, it is necessary to implement another position - to transfer to the bank the agricultural land that would become the capital to provide cheap loans to farmers. Therefore, on January 1, 2013 an inventory of public lands for agricultural purposes began in order to include them into the authorized capital of the State Land Bank.
08.02.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Poultry breeders requesting protection from excessive meat import
To protect national producers at the state level from excessive import of meat, in particular, poultry meat, meat products and to take adequate measures aimed at reduction of import volumes. The association Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine approached Prime Minister Mykola Azarov with this request, as well as Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk and Economic Development and Trade Minister Ihor Prasolov.
07.02.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Farm produce exports may be increased to USD 22 billion
Exports of agricultural products and food this year may increase in cash equivalent to USD 22 billion, Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Prysiazhniuk said. In  2012 the export of agricultural products amounted to USD 18.2 billion.
06.02.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine exports 16.25 million tonnes of grain crops
Since the beginning of the current marketing year, Ukraine supplied 16.25 million tonnes of grain crops to foreign markets: 7.95 million tons of corn, 6.04 million tons of wheat and 1.98 million tons of barley. Those volumes comply with agreements, reached by grain traders and the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry. In total, Ukraine is planning to export 23.2 million tonnes of grain this marketing year.
05.02.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine planning to expand supply of agricultural products and food to Iran
Ukraine is planning to expand supply of grain crops, sugar and dairy products, as well as to start export of agricultural equipment and component parts to the market of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said about this at a meeting with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ukraine Akbar Ghasemi Ali Abadi.
In 2012 export of goods from Ukraine to Iran grew by 3.8% and reached USD 1.17 billion.
04.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukrainian grain most actively purchased in EU
According to the Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk, Ukraine exports most of all grain crops to the European Union countries. In 2012, 7.7 million tonnes of grain totaling USD 1.9 billion were supplied to the European Union market. Egypt (5.5 million tonnes at USD 1.4 billion) and Saudi Arabia (1.9 million tonnes at USD 509 million) are also leaders by Ukrainian grain import volumes. He stressed that last year became very successful for Ukraine in the sense of its strengthening positions on the foreign markets, thanks to which the state not only ensured its food security, but could receive a status of a reliable partner.
01.02.2013 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Seed Association of Ukraine, ESA, USUBC to hold first international seed conference in Kyiv
The first international conference on prospects for the development of seed industry in Ukraine as part of the integration processes in the world economy will begin in Kyiv on February 27, Executive Director of the Seed Association of Ukraine Valeriy Khadzhimatov said. The conference is organized by the Seed Association of Ukraine, and its partners are the European Seed Association (ESA), the International Seed Federation (ISF) and the US-Ukrainian Business Council (USUBC). The main purpose of the conference is to analyze and define the current state of the investment process in Ukraine, its specificities in the agricultural sector, and suggest the ways to optimize it. "High-quality seeds form the basis of successful cultivation of any crop. Sowing high-quality seeds of powerful manufacturers, it is possible to expect a high yield, and therefore income," Khadzhimatov said.
31.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Milk production to grow by 3.2% in 2013
The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry has forecast that positive trends towards an increase in milk production will be preserved in 2013 and, in particular, the production is expected to grow by 3.2% this year. According to the Director of the ministry's department for cattle breeding, Andriy Hetia, the milk production to reach 11.75 million tonnes, which will ensure milk consumption per capita at a level of 217.3 kg. He also added that imports of dairy products are expected to shrink by almost 21.5%, while exports are expected to grow by 17.4%.
The increase in production will be achieved mainly through the improvement of milk production technologies at agricultural enterprises and an increase in milk yield amid the stabilization of cow numbers. Thanks to government programs milk producers are continuing to implement projects on the construction and reconstruction of dairy farms and complexes. Thus, in 2013, according to data from the regions, it is planned to commission 167 such farms and complexes.
29.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine exports 15.5 million tonnes of grain since July 1, 2012
Ukraine exported 15.5 million tonnes of grain from July 1, 2012 (the beginning of the current marketing year). In the same period of the previous marketing year, exports stood at 10.6 million tonnes.
Some 5.96 million tonnes of wheat, 7.32 million tonnes of corn and 1.96 million tonnes of barley have been exported since early July 2012. Since the beginning of January 2013, Ukraine has already exported 1.28 million tonnes of grain, including 144,200 tonnes of wheat, 166,700 tonnes of barley, and 977,400 tonnes of corn.
Ukraine exports grain under contracts with grain traders. At the start of the current season, grain traders and the ministry signed an addition to the memorandum, which established conditions under which the government might limit grain exports and set the maximal amounts of grain exports.
The ministry evaluates the grain export potential for the current marketing year at 23 million tonnes. The State Statistics Service estimated Ukraine's grain harvest in 2012 at about 46.2 million tonnes against a record high of 56.7 million tonnes in 2011.
22.01.2013 Source: Interfax / Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry

EBRD, Raiffeisen Bank Aval, John Deere to share credit risks as part of agricultural machinery lending for $50 million
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) jointly with Raiffeisen Bank Aval (a subsidiary of Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International) and John Deere, a leading global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, have announced the launch of a program to provide small and medium agricultural companies with John Deere agricultural machinery. As part of the program the three parties would undertake credit risks, which will allow small and medium Ukrainian agricultural companies to acquire John Deere machinery, using financing from Raiffeisen Bank Aval and Raiffeisen Leasing Aval. The total financing portfolio will be in the range of $50 million. The minimum annual interest rate in the program in U.S. dollars is 1%, the maximum one - 8.9%, while that in the hryvnia varies from 13.95% to 19.85% (for five years).
16.01.2013 Source: Interfax

Ukraine makes twice as many agricultural products as consumes
Ukrainian farmers produce twice as many agricultural goods as consumed in the domestic market. Over the past year, agricultural exports in monetary terms increased by almost 40% to $17 billion, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, told a briefing at the Cabinet on Wednesday.
09.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry forecasts growth of grain yield 20% in 2013
Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry believes that under favorable weather conditions this year the grain yield may grow by 20%. "Under condition that the weather does not add challenges to us, we expect that the grain crop will exceed the last year yield by 20 percent. Thus, we make a careful forecast regarding wheat, whose gross yield may be 19 million tons,” the Minister said.
He reminded that this marketing year 46.2 million tons of grain was produced, in particular, wheat - 15.5 million tons.
09.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Ukrainian premier says agriculture should be industrialized
Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov has said that the industrialization of agricultural production should be stirred up. "Serious steps are required in the industrialization of agricultural production. Positive steps in cattle breeding should be not only enhanced, but also it is to be brought to a new level. Grain crops should be planted almost everywhere where there are conditions for the planting and they are to be planted using industrial technologies," he said, opening a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He said that now we should prepare for the spring sowing campaign, which would be not easy.
03.01.2013 Source: Interfax

Dairy farms' output can grow by 10%
Milk production in Ukraine in 2013 may increase by 10%, primarily due to agricultural enterprises. According to the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, in 2012 Ukraine increased milk production to nearly 11.5 million tonnes from 11 million the year before.
02.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural exports in 2012 to grow by over a third
The growth of agricultural exports in Ukraine last year is expected to reach 30.8%, from USD 13 billion to USD 17 billion, Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said.
According to the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry, the Asian countries account for the main share of Ukrainian agricultural exports - about 30%. In addition to Russia, Ukrainian agricultural products are purchased in India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of wheat, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, barley, rye and corn. The average annual export of Ukrainian agricultural products in the period from 2007 to 2011 is USD 9.7 billion.
The prospects of the agricultural sector were praised by big business in Ukraine. For example, Dmytro Firtash last year completed the construction of a ten-hectare greenhouse complex worth EUR 150 million. He also started building a soybeans processing plant in Ternopil region, and he also plans to build there an elevator for 200,000 tonnes of grain.
02.01.2013 Source: Ukrinform

Chinese loans will be channeled to farmers as current assets
According to preliminary agreements with the Chinese, a loan of $3 billion will be directed to farmers as working capital for the period of harvest and sowing campaigns, that is for short-term projects. At the same time, Ukraine is obliged to annually export corn to China in the volume of 2-2.5 million tonnes, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine reported.
27.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Farming ties with China to promote Ukrainian agriculture
Establishment of cooperation with China will make it possible to intensify the development of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. This was emphasized by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, during his trip to China. "Ukraine now has a number of projects to be introduced in cooperation with China. We would like to cooperation using the experience of the two countries in the development of projects in seed farming, irrigation, production of cereals and some others," the minister said.
In addition, he said, it would be interesting to exchange experience in plant breeding, exchange the best examples of seeds, as well as test those seeds in Ukraine. In plant industry, one of the priorities is the project for the development of land reclamation in eastern regions and the project for the production of plant protection means and fertilizers in Ukraine. The Ukrainian side initiates the exchange of experience in the development of new technologies and equipment for the processing industry, cooperation in the development of selective breeding and exchange of tribal genetic resources. No less promising is the possibility of implementing a wide range of mutually beneficial projects in the field of fisheries.
27.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

2013 harvest will be about 56 million tonnes, UGA president says
Ukraine may gather about 56 million tonnes of grain in 2013. This belief was expressed at a press conference by President of the Ukrainian Grain Association Volodymyr Klymenko. "Last year, the weather let us down. Now, thanks to the good snow fall, and if the weather helps us as today - the harvest will be 10 million tonnes more next year. There will be a greater volume for exports," the expert predicted. Klymenko said that 56 million tonnes of grain is a normal harvest for Ukraine. The technology allows this, and thus farmers can produce such a result.
26.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural cooperation with China deepening
The memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Sino-Ukrainian Association for International Projects and the China National Corporation for Overseas Economic Cooperation in promoting bilateral investment cooperation and joint investment projects in agriculture was signed in Beijing on Wednesday.
China's Deputy Agriculture Minister Zhu Baocheng said that China and Ukraine, as two agrarian countries, are largely complementary, which is a huge potential for cooperation. He promised full support of the PRC Agriculture Ministry to the companies that will carry out projects in Ukraine.
For his part, the director of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyrylo Klymenko, said that Ukraine selected a number of projects that would be implemented together with Chinese partners. They relate, in particular, to improving the effectiveness of seed materials (Ukraine is interested in using Chinese breeding technologies), the production of plant protection means and fertilizers. It is also planned to modernize the irrigation system in the south of Ukraine to provide water to 1.2 million hectares of land (its upgrade will make it possible to grow about 10 million tons of corn and soybeans annually). In addition, according to the import substitution program, it is planned to build at least 500 hectares of high-tech greenhouses that will provide year-round fresh fruits and vegetables not only for Ukrainian, but also for European consumers.
26.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Wheat acreage to increase in Ukraine
The cropping pattern for 2013 provides for an increase in the grain acreage, in particular, the expansion of areas under wheat. At the same time, high-reproduction winter crop seeds will help to increase the production of some crops by 20-30%.
According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, winter crops for grain of the 2013 harvest were planted on the area of 8.1 million hectares, including wheat on 6.7 million hectares, barley on 1.1 million hectares and rye on 304 thousand hectares. The condition of winter grain crops is better than the average annual performance over the past 10 years.
Farmers are also increasing areas under corn for grain, which has now become one of the major export crops. In addition, there will be an increase in the areas under rape. Areas under barley, buckwheat, sugar beets, soybeans, potatoes and vegetables will remain at the 2012 level.
21.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Winter crop acreage 2.5% down
Sowing of winter crops for the 2013 harvest in Ukraine has decreased by 2.5% to 9,200.8 thousand hectares. Agricultural enterprises planted 7,379 thousand hectares and private farms 1,821.8 thousand hectares, the State Statistics Service reported. In the structure of winter grain crops area, wheat makes 82.6% (last year 79.9%), barley 13.6% (16.3%), rye 3.8% (like last year.
The largest areas of winter crops for the 2013 harvest are in Odesa (907.1 thousand ha) and Mykolaiv (704.8 thousand ha) regions.
21.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform / State Statistics Service

Agriculture Ministry plans to supply $17 billion worth of products to foreign markets
Ukraine can export USD 17 billion worth of agricultural products this year. Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk made such a forecast on Wednesday at a briefing in the Cabinet of Ministers. The major consumers of Ukrainian agricultural products are Asian and EU countries. Ukraine had exported over 25% of agricultural products to EU countries, which was 2.2% more than last year. In addition, domestic products are actively purchased by African countries whose share in exports is about 18%.
19.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Farm produce export geography largely expanded
Over the year Ukraine has significantly expanded the geography of its agricultural exports, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Prysiazhniuk told a briefing at the Cabinet. Beside the major traditional importers of Ukrainian production - Egypt, Iran and Spain, Ukrainian traders have entered the markets of Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of South Africa. The foreign trade balance of agricultural products in 2012 was $8.2 billion. The most important factors of the surplus are, as before, the high export volumes of grain - 36.6%, oil - 23.9% and oil seeds - 9.3%.
19.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine to export 200,000 tonnes of sugar in current marketing season
The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry has predicted that Ukraine will export 200,000 tonnes of sugar in the 2012/2013 marketing season. CIS markets are traditional markets for Ukrainian sugar. However, they are currently closed due to high import duties. As part of official negotiations on the creation of a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU the sides had reached an agreement on the introduction of quotas for Ukrainian sugar exports to the EU in the amount of 20,000 tons per year.
The Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry, along with the National Association of Sugar Producers, had prepared a draft law introducing amendments to the law on the state regulation of the production and sale of sugar, which is aimed at resolving problems in the industry. The issue concerns, in particular, the cancelation of minimum prices for sugar, the protection of the domestic market and domestic producers, as well as supplies to the domestic market of sugar produced from raw sugar that was imported to Ukraine under WTO quotas, and the sale of sugar produced above the A quota.
11.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine seeking EU's priority attitude to its agriculture in 2014-2020
The Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine is asking the European Union to include the development of Ukrainian agriculture among the priorities of the EU strategy for Ukraine in 2014-2020. Deputy Minister Ivan Bisiuk expressed the hope that, after signing a free trade area agreement, the European Union will open its enterprises in Ukraine, in particular, for the production of organic foods. As reported, Ukraine has already adopted a law on the manufacture and circulation of organic products.
07.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Gross output of agricultural products may reach UAH 222.2 billion this year
> By results of the current year, gross output of agricultural products may reach UAH 222.2 billion. And revenues to the budget may reach UAH 42.2 billion. This statistics was aired by Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk at the final annual press conference on Thursday. He stressed that the implemented reforms have already formed the basis for the agrarian sector and gave a powerful impetus to long-term growth. Over recent years, the agricultural products traditionally occupy a considerable part in Ukraine's foreign trade. This is the only sector of Ukraine's economy, which has a positive balance of foreign trade.
The average index made up UAH 208.8 billion in 2009-2011.
06.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

UAH 15.55 billion envisaged for Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry in budget 2013
The government envisaged expenses in the draft state budget 2013 for the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry to the amount of UAH 15.55 billion. In particular, it is proposed to send UAH 7.2 billion in 2013 for a program on provision of food security and price stability.  
05.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine allowed poultry export to EU
At a meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) of the European Commission's Health and Consumers Directorate-General (DG SANCO) on Wednesday, a technical vote was held on the draft decision on putting Ukraine on the list of third countries authorized to export poultry products to the European Union. All the EU member states voted for including Ukraine in Annex I of EC Regulation 798/2008/EU. Thus, Ukraine has received the permission to the export of eggs, egg products, poultry and meat of wild birds to the EU market. Appropriate amendments to Regulation 798/2008/EU will be made within 2-3 months after the translation of Annex I to this Regulation to the official languages of the EU member-countries. However, the Ukrainian side should additionally provide a salmonella control program in accordance with Regulation 2160/2003/EU of the European Parliament and the EU Council..
05.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Cabinet forecasts grain crop of 51 million tonnes - draft budget for 2013
According to the explanatory memorandum to the draft budget for 2013, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine expects grain harvest increase in 2013 by 11.8% up to 51 million tonnes from 45.6 million tons in 2012.
04.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Maximum volume of wheat exports will not exceed 5.6-5.7 million tonnes
Ukraine has exported the maximum amount of wheat - 5.5 million tonnes. At the same time, the export limit will still be higher, but not more than by 2-3% (5.6-5.7 million tonnes), the Ministry of Agrarian Policy reported.
04.12.2012 Source: Ukrinform

High-quality seeds needed for growing more efficient crops
Ukrainian farmers are switching to more efficient crops, including corn, but there is a need for high-quality seeds. Recently the government provided strong enough support for the development of the seed industry. But it is also very important to strengthen state control over the observance of the Ukrainian legislation in the sphere of protection of plant varieties. This will help reduce violations in plant growing, production of high-quality seeds, filling the market with high-quality domestic products.
Ukraine is a member of such authoritative international organizations as the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants and the International Seed Trade Federation.
29.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

EBRD to invest nearly $16 million in Ukraine sugar beet production
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will invest $15.9 million in the Ukrainian subsidiary of ED&F Man, which is located in Mykolayiv region and has a sugar factory there. The investment will be used to install equipment for the processing of sugar beet and to develop sugar beet production in the region (through creating a joint venture with the agricultural company Continental Farming Group, listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM and operating in Poland and Ukraine). New equipment for the processing of sugar beet, which must be installed at the sugar factory, will be more energy efficient than at most of the functioning sugar mills in Ukraine.
The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. At the end of October 2012, the bank undertook the commitment to provide more than $10 billion under 327 projects.
29.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine harvests 45.01 million tonnes of grain
Ukraine harvested 45.01 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops from 14.35 million hectares as of November 23, 2012, or 97% of the forecast, with the yield being 31.3 centners per hectare. On the same date in 2011 farmers threshed 55.79 million tonnes of grain from an area of 15.02 million hectares, with the yield being 37.1 centners per hectare.
As of November 23, 2012, farmers harvested 18.64 million tonnes of corn from an area of 4.04 million hectares (92%), with the yield being 46.1 centners per hectare. They also threshed 18.1 million tonnes of sugar beets from an area of 451,400 hectares (99%), with an average yield being 401 centners per hectare. Farmers also harvested 2.33 million tonnes of soybeans from an area of 1.38 million hectares (97%), with the yield being 16.8 centners per hectare.
26.11.2012 Source: APK-Inform

CLAAS set to produce combine harvesters, tractors in Ukraine
Ukraine's agricultural machinery producers and CLAAS, one of world's leading harvester producers, under the auspices of the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine reached an agreement on a pilot project for co-production of Tucano combine harvesters and Xerion tractors in Ukraine. A number of meetings on these and other issues were held as part of a visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Germany to attend the International Trade Fair for Livestock Euro Tier 2012, November 13-16, in Hanover.
The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and the All-Ukrainian Association of Mechanical Engineers (Ukragromash) strengthen cooperation.
21.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Moratorium on sale of agricultural land extended until 2016
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed a law extending a moratorium on the sale of agricultural land until January 1, 2016. The law introducing amendments to the Land Code of Ukraine (regarding the circulation of agricultural land) says that before it comes into force, the law on the circulation of agricultural land, but not earlier than January 1, 2016, prohibits the inclusion of the right to a land plot in the charter capital of commercial companies.
21.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine to export farm produce for $17 billion in 2012
This year, the export of agricultural products in terms of value will be $17 billion. According to the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Prysiazhniuk, Ukraine has never exported such a large volume of products. In addition, the geography of exports has also expanded. The minister said that the first time in 20 years the country began to rapidly increase exports of vegetables, fruits and berries.
15.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agriculture ministry pledges development of organic farm produce industry
Ukraine now has favorable conditions for the development of organic farm produce manufacture.
This was stated by the head of the department for general agriculture, chemicals and land reclamation of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Anatoliy Rudiuk. In September, the Parliament adopted a bill on organic production, and in October 2012, the President of Ukraine returned the bill, enclosed with his suggestions for its revision. Therefore, work in this area will continue.
09.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukrainian farm companies raised almost $1.5bln in investment in two years
Ukrainian agricultural companies have attracted investments totaling nearly USD 1.5 billion, the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC) reported.  Global demand for food in the medium term will continue to grow, driven by an increase in population and, consequently, the per capita consumption in Asia. The areas of lands suitable for agricultural production have been reducing annually, which significantly limits the agricultural offer. Against this background, Ukraine maintains a relatively high investment attractiveness.
09.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Domestic production of farm machinery will be supported by law
In order to support the production of Ukrainian equipment for the agricultural sector, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill on amendments to the law encouraging the development of domestic machine-building for agriculture. The bill aims to create favorable conditions for Ukrainian companies that produce agricultural equipment using foreign elements, and also facilitate the future production of a modern domestic element base.
07.11.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Harvesting campaign in Ukraine kicks off earlier due to high temperatures
This year the harvesting campaign in Ukraine began 2-3 weeks earlier than usual, due to high temperature conditions. According to Tetiana Adamenko, the head of agricultural meteorology at the Ukrainian Weather Center of the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry, high temperatures have brought heat stress to plants and groundwater drought, which adversely affected the crop capacity. The gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine in 2012 is projected at 43-44 million tonnes, or about 10-12 million tonnes less than last year.
25.06.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukrainian scientists breed new varieties of crops with capacity of 115-124 centner/ha
Domestic scientists and plant breeders from the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), during the Field Day 2012 presented several new varieties of crops that have high productivity - 115-124 centners/ha. Among the presented varieties - 'Smuhlianka', 'Zolotokolos' and 'Favorytka'. A record productivity of these crops at 115-124 centner/ha, by the way - in production, rather than on the fields of NASU institutions, has been officially recorded by the State Commission of Ukraine for Crop Variety Testing.
25.06.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Over 60 million tonnes of grain will be supplied to market this year
More than 60 million tons of grain will be provided to the market this year, despite not very favorable climatic conditions last autumn, this winter and spring. This was stated by First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Mykola Bezuhly. "More than 60 million tonnes of grain will be supplied to the market. This is 48-49 million tonnes of this year's crop and 12 million tonnes of carryover stocks. With domestic consumption of 27 million tonnes and ending stocks of 5 million tonnes, 27 million tonnes could be exported. So, there will be no problems with either food or feed grain," Mykola Bezuhly said. He also predicted that the gross production of oil crops could be at the level of 11-12 million tonnes.
21.06.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural production 1.5% up in 5 months
In January-May 2012 agricultural production increased by 1.5% YoY. Output of agricultural companies increased by 4%, while in households it fell by 0.2%. The total amount of products sold by agrarian enterprises in January-May 2012 increased by 45% YoY, including crop production by 95% and livestock by 2%.
19.06.2012 Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine

Agriculture ministry to pay off 1.045 million UAH for cattle breeding
The Ministry of Agriculture has sent 1,045.5 thousand UAH for the payment of subsidies on keeping young cattle. More than a thousand and a half farmers have already applied for state grants. In particular, the state provides the following benefits: for a calf at the age of 3 to 5 months UAH 250, from 6 months to 8 months UAH 500, from 9 to 11 months 750 UAH per head. The payments are made under the agriculture ministry's program of state support for the livestock industry.
18.06.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Nearly 100 Ukrainian farms to attend trainings to gain European agribusiness experience
Nearly 100 Ukrainian farms will participate in trainings to borrowing the European experience in the agricultural business. Such joint project by the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was agreed at a meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators on Tuesday in the Italian city of Trieste. The project will be implemented as part of the Technical Cooperation projects with total cost amounting to EUR 250,000.
12.06.2012 Source: Ukrinform

60-70% of fish imported
Ukraine is dependent on fish imports, which make about 60-70%, Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Mykola Prysiazhniuk told a board meeting of the National Agency for Fisheries on Friday. "This country is dependent on fish imports - about 60-70% of this product is taken from abroad. It is paradoxical, but domestic freshwater fish is more expensive than imported sea fish. Therefore, the agriculture ministry and the fisheries agency must do everything for effective use of water resources," the minister said.
01.06.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine, China sign framework agreement on cooperation in agriculture
Ukraine and China signed a framework agreement on cooperation in agriculture with the participation of the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine, China National Corporation of General Contracting, Export-Import Bank of China and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Oleksandr Sen said that the meeting covered investment in plant protection products, agricultural machinery, infrastructure development, etc.
25.05.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural trade with China may increase to USD 1 billion
The trade turnover between Ukraine and China in the agricultural sector may reach USD 1 billion this year, Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysiazhniuk said at a briefing during the 2nd session of the Ukrainian-Chinese subcommission on cooperation in the field of agriculture of the intergovernmental commission on cooperation between Ukraine and China.
25.05.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Spring grains, legumes sown on 8.61 million hectares
As of May 15 2012, spring grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine were planted on 8.61 million hectares or 97% of the plan. In particular, corn for grain was planted on 4.41 million ha (99%) of the planned 4.44 million ha. Farmers also planted 129 thousand ha of sorghum (71% of the plan), 202 thousand ha of buckwheat (72%) and 152 thousand ha of millet (65%), 1.228 million ha of soybeans (94%), 3.82 million hectares of sunflower (95%), 482 thousand ha of sugar beet (91% of the plan).
16.05.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Tax revenue from farmers to increase 10.7% to 45 billion UAH
The domestic agricultural sector should be fully self-sustaining and self-sufficient. According to preliminary estimates, in the current year tax revenues from farmers will grow by 10.7% to 44.9 billion UAH. In 2011, the state budget received from domestic agricultural producers 40.1 billion UAH of tax payments, which is 17% more than in the previous year (34.3 billion UAH). The agriculture ministry attributes this situation to the creation by the Cabinet of Ministers of favorable tax policies for agricultural producers. During the development of a new Tax Code, the norms for indirect government support of the agricultural sector were retained. First of all, this is an open-ended fixed agricultural tax and special VAT regimes until the end of 2017.
14.05.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukrainian agricultural sector will receive UAH 6.4 billion of state support in 2012
The state budget foresees that in 2012 the Ukrainian agricultural sector will receive UAH 6.4 of state support. Budget revenues from agricultural producers in 2012 are projected at UAH 44.9 billion, which is 10.7% more than in 2011.
In total, the state budget for 2012 foresees expenditures for agriculture at UAH 18.1 billion, including UAH 6.4 billion from the general fund and UAH 11.7 billion from the special fund. Support for agriculture is mainly carried out from the special fund of the state budget. Although its amount was approved by the state budget, support is being provided within actual revenues.
The main spheres of expenditures are the social sphere of the villages, as well as the development of agricultural education and science. Thus, money from the general fund of the state budget will be channeled to support the social sphere - UAH 16 million, agricultural education - UAH 1.977 billion, and agricultural science - UAH 140.1 million.
At the expense of special funds, support is carried out according to the following main budget programs: establishing of young orchards, vineyards and berry plantations - UAH 1.075 million, state support to the cattle breeding sector - UAH 732 million, formation of the state intervention fund by the Agrarian Fund, as well as purchases of material-technical resources for the needs of agricultural producers - UAH 7.2 billion, out of these, UAH 5 billion are subject to return.
14.05.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

Ukraine exports 19 million tonnes of grain
As of May 8, 2012 Ukraine has exported 19 million tonnes of grain, Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Serhiy Stoyanov said. In particular, Ukraine shipped 11.5 million tonnes of corn, 5 million tonnes of wheat and 2.5 million tonnes of barley. The country also exported more than 1.4 million tonnes of rapeseed, about 1 million tonnes of soybeans and more than 1 million tonnes of products after processing grain and oilseeds. According to him, the total tonnage of exports of grain, oilseeds and products thereof both by sea and by land exceeded 22.3 million tons.
10.05.2012 Source: Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation

Spring crops sown on 84% of planned acreage
As of May 7, 2012, Ukraine sowed spring grains and legumes on 7.5 million hectares or 84% of the forecast. In particular agrarians planted corn for grain on 3.5 million ha (80% of the forecast), buckwheat on 85 thousand ha (30%), millet on 89 thousand ha (38%), rice on 18 thousand ha (64%). Sugar beets were planted on 477 thousand ha (89% of the forecast), sunflower on 3.1 million ha (76%), and soy on 879 thousand ha (68%).
Winter crops were reseeded with spring crops on 0.97 million hectares, with the forecast 1.51 million ha.
08.05.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine

State to open new lines of animal husbandry support
This year one more public program for livestock support was launched.
"We continue the support and past years' programs, that is compensation for the construction of dairy farms - up to 50%, In addition, this is compensation of the National Bank discount rate for loans, compensation for the purchase of young animals from households (7 UAH / kg of body weight), and compensation for additional dairy cattle in the amount of UAH 10,000 per head," Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysiazhniuk said.
This year 206.4 million UAH was allocated for financial support through the cheapening of credits and compensation of lease payments; 152.5 million UAH for partial reimbursement of the cost of construction and reconstruction of livestock farms and enterprises for the production of animal feed; 51 million UAH for the development of animal husbandry. Also within the current programs the government envisaged 1 billion UAH to support individual farmers' livestock.
07.05.2012 Source: Ukrinform

The milk production has been increased in Ukraine
In Q1 2012 milk production in Ukraine has been increased by 64 thousand tonnes or 3.2%. According to the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysyazhnyuk, 19 regions of Ukraine have increased milk production. 958 thousand tonnes of milk have been delivered to the processing enterprises in the reporting period, which makes the overall growth of about 10%.
03.05.2012 Source: kmu

Grain exports to keep at 2-2.2 million tons in May, June
Ukraine is planning to keep grain exports at the level of 2-2.2 million tonnes in May and June. Since the start of the current agricultural year (July 2011- June 2012), Ukraine has already exported about 17.8 million tonnes of grain, including 4.4 million tonnes of wheat, 2.3 million tonnes of barley and 11 million tonnes of corn.
03.05.2012 Source: Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine / Ukrinform

Record soybean harvest expected in Ukraine
Because of significant losses of winter crops this year Ukrainian farmers have to increase the area under spring crops. It is planned to plant soybeans throughout 1.4 million ha, which is 23% more than last year. This may allow to collect a record harvest of this crop at 2.5 million tonnes, Taras Hahaliuk, the director of AgriSurvey at the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UABC) said. "Commercial production of soybean in Ukraine has a rather short history, but in recent years an increase in production has made it possible not only to provide domestic demand, but also enter the top 10 exporters of this crop," the analyst noted.
02.05.2012 Source: UABC / Ukrinform

Agriculture most promising investment resource in Ukraine
Agriculture is of huge interest to investors, because small investment can produce significant returns, Executive Director of the Bleyzer Foundation Oleg Ustenko said at a press conference in Kyiv. "I think that agriculture is of huge interest to investors. It has a number of advantages: land, relatively developed infrastructure, relatively skilled labor in the total absence of proper technology. Taking into account the fact that the yield in our country is 2.5 times lower than in Europe, the potential is huge," the expert said.
25.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Mechanism of subsidies for cattle breeding developed
Farmers will receive the state financial aid for cattle breeding. A relevant decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on April 23, through making amendments into the Procedure for calculation of the value added tax, which is paid to the state budget by processing enterprises for sold milk, dairy raw materials and dairy products, meat and meat products, other meat processing products of cattle purchased in live weight, as well as payments and the use of the funds received from its payment. A special budget subsidy is paid for young cattle livestock: for the young stock from 3 to 5 months - UAH 250/head; from 6 to 8 months - UAH 500/head; from 9 to 10 months - UAH 750/head.
24.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukrainian farmers increase wheat sales in March
Agricultural enterprises increased the sale of wheat in March 2012 by 31.4% to 654,800 tonnes compared with February 2012. In January-March 2012, agricultural enterprises sold 1.447 million tonnes of wheat, or 17.7% more than in the same period in 2011. In 2011, Ukraine harvested 22.312 million tonnes of wheat.
23.04.2012 Source: State Statistics Service / Ukrinform

Turkish businesses interested in investing in the Crimean agriculture
Turkish businesses are interested in investing into the agricultural and transport sectors of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the head of the Crimean government, Anatoliy Mohyliov, told reporters following his trip to Turkey. Crimean delegation held a series of meetings in Turkey, including with the Grand National Assembly President Cemil Cicek, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun, Minister of Transport and Communications Binali Yildirim, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu, the TIKA leadership and representatives of Turkish businesses.
18.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agriculture Ministry to regulate prices for agricultural products
According to the results of weekly monitoring of 800 food markets in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry will draw up a program to monitor food price fluctuations. The development of a network of wholesale markets and farmers markets will contribute to the regulation of prices, Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk said.
18.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine and Jordan agree on close cooperation in agriculture
Following the visit of the Ukrainian delegation headed by President Viktor Yanukovych to the Kingdom of Jordan, agreement was reached on strengthening cooperation in the agricultural sector. "A number of agreements were signed, in particular, regarding the construction of elevator facilities in Jordan, which will make it possible to increase the supply of grain both to that country and to its neighbor-states; it was also agreed to increase the supply of poultry meat and offal," the Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysiazhniuk said. The parties had agreed on cooperation between scientific institutions, in particular in the development of joint programs for the study of hazardous diseases of birds and animals, exchange of breeding material (seeds of vegetables and melons), as well as the introduction of new plant protection technologies.
Ukrainian exports to Jordan in 2011 amounted to 46.0 million USD (eggs of poultry -10.0 mln USD, meat and offal - 1.7 mln USD, grain cereals - 24.6 mln USD, oil - 6.9 mln USD).
17.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agrifood sector needs significant investment
Agrifood sector requires substantial investment to ensure dynamic development and an advanced level of technology and product quality, President of the Association of Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, Alex Lissitsa said. "Stabilization of land relations and gradual formation of powerful agribusiness companies allowed drawing in the agricultural sector only during 2010 and 2011 more than USD 1 billion annually through the IPO and the issue of corporate bonds," the expert said. He stressed that the increase in investment leads to increased production and export of agricultural goods. If in the early 2000s Ukraine produced 25-30 million tonnes of grain and 5-6 million tonnes of oil-bearing crops, in 10 years the country ensured grain production of over 50 million tonnes and the production of oil-bearing crops of more than 12 million tonnes.
Ukraine is currently a big player in the global market of agricultural products, but further growth is limited due to insufficient investment, as evidenced by the dosed application of fertilizers and agricultural machinery as compared with competitors. "Once this imbalance is corrected, Ukraine will be able to ramp up production several times over the current levels. The increase will also tell on the prices of land and create a demand for additional storage and handling capacity, as well as for farm machinery, seeds, chemicals and related services," the analyst forecasts.
Only the largest vertically integrated agricultural holdings, which have been cooperating with Western financial institutions for more than a year, can count on free access to foreign funds, among them the largest landowners in Ukraine, such as MHP, Mechta, Astarta, Kernel, Ukrlandfarming and Nibulon.
13.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Grain exports in March 67% up on February
In March, Ukraine exported more than 2.7 million tonnes of grain, which is 67% more than in February. This is the largest monthly figure for the past two seasons. Corn continues to hold the key position in the structure of grain exports. During September-March, about 9.1 million tonnes of corn was exported from Ukraine, which is more than a half of all grain shipments. The shipments of other grain crops in July-March totaled about 6.1 million tonnes. Egypt and Spain were the main markets for Ukrainian wheat in March, Saudi Arabia and Jordan for barley, Egypt, Iran, Spain, Portugal, Japan and South Korea for corn, when Israel and Sudan for sorghum.
Exports of oilseeds from Ukraine in the current season are relatively weak, especially as regards rape and sunflower. Since the beginning of the season, Ukraine has supplied to foreign markets around 2 million tonnes of oilseeds, while in the same period of the previous marketing year about 2.5 million tonnes.
13.04.2012 Source: Grain Ukraine

The filling of the State Land Cadastre will be completed by 2020
The State Agency of Land Resources is conducted software development and filling of the State Land Cadastre, which will be fully completed by 2020.
"We have already practically completed the formation of base cartographic Cadastre. So, there has been completed aerial photography of the whole territory of Ukraine, final stage and developing software and hardware complex of a cadastral registration system." said the Chairman of the State Agency of Land Resources SerhiyTymchenko. After gathering all the data, namely, providing content filling of software and hardware complex of the State Land Cadastre, collecting cartographical and text data about the quality characteristics of agricultural lands, the final filling of the State Land Cadastre will be completed by 2020.
13.04.2012 Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Electronic trading platform Agricultural Sector of 21st Century will appear in Crimea
The electronic trading platform Agricultural Sector of the 21st Century and a trading exchange for agricultural producers will appear in Crimea. First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Pavlo Burlakov noted that establishment of an electronic trading platform will ensure efficient work with Crimean farmers, and will also contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in the region. The web portal Agricultural Sector of the 21st Century will open in approximately one month.
13.04.2012 Source: Crimean Council of Ministers

Ukrainian geneticists breed five new varieties of winter wheat
Geneticists of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine bred in 2011 five new highly effective varieties of winter wheat, President of the National Academy of Sciences Borys Paton said during the presentation of the Academy's annual report on Thursday. According to him, more than 1 million ha of land was allocated for planting these and other new varieties of crops. In addition, the President of the National Academy of Sciences said, there are a number of new biotechnological developments of scientists of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. "It is clear that effective use of Ukraine's natural potential with the application of modern biotechnology can take this country to one of the leading places in the world by the output of agricultural products," he summed up.
12.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine to export 7 million tonnes of grain by end of marketing year
The Ukrainian Ministry for Agricultural Policy and Food is planning to export 7 million tonnes of grain by the end of the current marketing year. According to the State Statistics Service, as of April 2, 2012, Ukraine sowed spring crops on an area of 932,300 ha, which was 6.9% more than on the same date in 2011. At the same time, spring grain and leguminous crops (not including corn) were sown on an area of 648,200 ha (9.6% less than last year), of which barley was sown on 462,600 ha (12.8% less than last year).
11.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

EBRD says Ukrainian agricultural sector has great capacity
Ukraine has great potential in agriculture, therefore it attracts investors, EBRD's Country Director for Ukraine, Andre Keesvek, said in an interview. Kuusvek said that, unfortunately, the investment environment in the country, frequent changes in legislation substantially impede the flow of investment into this sector. At the same time he noted that the EBRD annually increases investment in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. "If in 2009, the funding totaled EUR 138 million, in 2011 the figure was EUR 190 million," he said. In 2012 the Bank plans investment at the level of 2011.
EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. The Bank provides funding to various projects focusing on financial institutions, agribusiness, real estate projects, power generation and transmission, infrastructure and industry. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had committed over EUR 7.5 billion (USD 9.6 billion) through 294 projects.
09.04.2012 Source: Newspaper Delo / Ukrinform

CIS to develop uniform methodology for accounting farm produce
The main objective of cooperation among the Commonwealth of Independent States' member-countries in the field of agriculture is food security both in the domestic market of the participating countries and in the foreign market. To solve this problem, it is planned to develop a uniform methodology for accounting agricultural production, First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Bezuhly said during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Council for the Agricultural Sector of the CIS. In his opinion, such a move will help solve a number of issues related to the control of export-import balance and provide the countries precisely with the food they need.
06.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural sector has greatest investment potential
Agricultural sector is one of the most promising in this country and has the greatest investment potential. Nevertheless, there are many problems and issues, particularly in the legislative framework, that require discussion and refinement. This was pointed out at the forum AGRO: Evolution of Agrarian Markets, which began its work in Kyiv on Thursday.
The program of the forum outlines the main directions for this year: trends of Ukrainian agriculture development, attraction of funding to Ukraine's agri-business, land tenure in the modern Ukrainian conditions, as well as commodity market trends and forecasts.
05.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Belarus offers Ukraine farm machinery on lease
Belarus can give Ukraine on lease for a term of seven years combine harvesters and grain carriers produced by OJSC Minsk Automobile Factory. First Vice-Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko voiced this proposal during his meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov on Thursday. "We are ready to grant agricultural equipment, harvesters and grain carriers, on lease for seven years. We would like to create some preferential terms for buying Belarusian machinery in Ukraine and Ukrainian in Belarus," Semashko said.
05.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Market price of agricultural companies working in Ukraine estimated at USD 6.3 billion
As of the beginning of April, the market price of public agricultural companies working in Ukraine is estimated at USD 6.3 billion. This index is 10% less against the start of September 2011 (USD 7.02 billion). However, the situation on the securities market of agrarian companies improves, because over recent four months their capitalization grew by 26%. "Revival of activity on stock markets regarding the agrarian and food sector is a positive signal for Ukrainian companies. It opens possibilities for attraction of investments. This is especially important under conditions, when credit financial resources are rather expensive and not accessible for everyone," President of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Alex Lissitsa comments.
04.04.2012 Source: Ukrainian Agribusiness Club

Record crops require changes to grain storage system
In recent years, the production of grain for export in Ukraine has increased to record levels, which requires certain changes in the development of a system for crop storage and transportation, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Serhiy Melnyk told on Tuesday. "Economic efficiency of operating the elevator as a commercial project is a key factor in decision-making on building new facilities. Given further development of the production of grains and oilseeds, Ukraine needs to build new high-tech elevators with a total capacity of 15-20 million tonnes," the official said.
To date, Ukraine has enough port facilities that are fully able to meet export requirements. Moreover, the existing specialized terminal facilities are even more excessive, especially given the actual volume of transshipment of grain in previous seasons and reduction of transit grain processing, experts say. In terms of the cheaper logistics component of grain supplies, projects to restore the functioning of the Dnieper water transport unit are interesting. Now, as we know, Nibulon is actively implementing the project for grain delivery by the Dnieper, Melnyk underscored.
03.04.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine plans to harvest 8-14 million tonnes of wheat in 2012
Wheat harvest in Ukraine in 2012 is expected to reach 8-14 million tonnes. "The gross harvest of grain crops this season is expected at 45-50 million tonnes, including 8-14 million tonnes of wheat. The total area under grain crops in 2012 is 15.3 million ha, of which 4 million ha are spring crops," deputy head of the department of economic development and agricultural market at the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, Serhiy Petrenko said.
03.04.2012 Source: urb.ua / Ukrinform

Agricultural profits 52.3% up
The profit of agricultural enterprises (except small ones) in 2011 amounted to 19.8 billion UAH against 13 billion UAH in 2010 (increase by 52.3%). The level of profitability was 25.8% against 20.7% in the previous year. Income from agricultural production and services in crop growing and cattle breeding was received by 79% of enterprises, when 21% suffered losses. Crop production companies received profit of 17 billion UAH with efficiency of 31.8%. Livestock enterprises received profit of UAH 2,484.1 million, the efficiency was 12.3%.
In order to support agricultural production in 2011, revenues of UAH 597.7 million from direct budget subsidies and UAH 3,389.9 million from value added tax actually came to the accounts of agricultural enterprises.
02.04.2012 Source: State Statistics Service / Ukrinform

Cattle numbers to be significantly raised in 5-7 years
A significant increase in cattle numbers in Ukraine could be achieved in five to seven years. Now there is every reason for its annual increase by 200,000-300,000. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced this at a meeting with public organizations and experts in the field of agriculture on Tuesday. He noted that in order to increase cattle numbers, it is necessary to support large commodity production and small private farms. Cattle numbers in Ukraine declined from 23.7 million to 4.7 million over the period of its independence.
27.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine strengthens veterinary control of products from EU
Ukraine strengthens veterinary-sanitary control due to registration of Schmallenberg disease, the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service informs. The disease has been considerably spread in Germany (800 cases), France (244), Great Britain (174), The Netherlands (178).
Specialists note that scientifically grounded data about the length of the incubation period are absent for now. In addition, it is difficult to reveal a virus in the animals' blood. Currently, effective means for treatment and immunologic prophylaxis are not developed. Such a situation poses threat for biological safety of cattle breeding of Ukraine, since our country has close trade relations with majority of European countries, where the virus was detected, the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service emphasizes.
26.03.2012 Source: State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service / Ukrinform

Ukraine to diversify dairy product export markets
The Ukrainian government will diversify markets for dairy product exports, First Deputy Prime Minister Valeriy Khoroshkovsky said during the government hour at the Verkhovna Rada on Friday. Traditionally, he says, there are the markets of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but Ukraine is also actively negotiating with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Yemen, Laos and Montenegro. Ukraine is also in talks about increasing the supply of its products and the expediency of concluding agreements on free trade with Turkey, Serbia, Singapore, Israel and Morocco.
23.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

New grain harvest enough both for domestic market and export
The grain harvest to be received this year will provide both the domestic needs of Ukraine and the volume of exports, First Deputy Prime Minister Valeriy Khoroshkovsky said during the government hours in parliament on Friday.
23.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Agricultural sector will play special role in attracting investment
Precisely agrarian sector plays a special role in attracting investment funds in Ukraine, and it needs immediate reform, President of the US-Ukraine Business Council Morgan Williams says. In the first place it is necessary to adopt a law on land privatization; second, it is necessary to stop interventions in agricultural exports; it is also necessary to improve the system of value added tax for it not to put up obstacles to businesses, the expert said. The agricultural sector of Ukraine is large enough to ensure that all players would be able to work and earn money; agrarian sector can bring Ukraine out of the economic crisis, create jobs and contribute to budget revenue, Morgan Williams said, adding, the world wants Ukraine's agrarian sector to develop.
22.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Crimean agriculture minister expects heavy crop of fruit despite severe winter frosts
Despite the severe frosts in the Crimea this winter, experts predict, in general, a heavy crop of fruit and grapes, although worse than last year, Valeriy Kravets, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of the AR of Crimea, told reporters in Simferopol. According to him, in the northern regions of the peninsula the damage to fruit buds of peach and apricot was up to 90%, sweet cherries, pears and cherries - 86%, grapes, except the southern coast of Crimea - 95%, apple trees, in some areas - up to 60%. Last year the Crimea harvested over 86,000 tonnes of fruits and berries, this year's harvest will amount to 83,000 thousand tonnes. The reduction in the crop of grapes will be down to 68,000 tonnes compared with 99,000 tonnes last year.
21.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Work on land market law should be completed by 2013
The draft law on the land market requires revision and explanation for population, but this work must be completed at the beginning of next year, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said during a visit to Washington. "Sociological poll and our, sociological poll of the World Bank, say that still people are not ready for introduction of the land market," the Minister noted. In his opinion, in this case, previous negative experience of the industry privatization plays its role and certain "fears" that the land will be sold to foreigners or withdrawn from land share owners. Since the World Bank is also a participant in the project on creation of the land cadastre in Ukraine, which completes in June, the Ukrainian delegation discussed advisability of continuation of this project for another year in Washington, as the minister emphasized, not in order to increase financing, but to accompany work until its successful completion.
16.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Farmers to receive 300 million UAH for reseeding winter crops
Farmers will receive partial reimbursement of costs on reseeding winter crops, First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Security of Ukraine Mykola Bezuhly told a press conference at the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday. "The government's next meeting will decide on the allocation of an additional of UAH 300 million to partially offset the costs," Bezuhly said. According to him, about 3 million hectares need reseeding, the total spending on which will amount to 3 billion UAH.
14.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

2011 state financial support for agriculture 1.5 times up
State financial support for Ukraine's agricultural sector in 2011 amounted to 13.5 billion UAH, which is 1.5 times more than in the previous year. Last year, 15 billion UAH of credit funds were also drawn for the development of agriculture, Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysiazhniuk said on Tuesday at a press conference on the results of two years of the current government's work. "Harmonious cooperation with national and commercial banks made it possible to increase the volume of lending to the agricultural sector," the government member said.
14.03.2012 Source: Ukrinform

2012 grain harvest forecast raised to 45.7 million tonnes
Analysts have increased Ukraine's grain yield forecast for 2012 to 45.7 million tonnes from the previously expected 42.6 million tonnes due to the corn harvest forecast revision. Previously, the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food predicted that the country does not face a shortage of grain, and in 2012 Ukraine will harvest 42-50 million tonnes of grain against a record 56.7 million tonnes in 2011. Ukraine consumes 26 million tonnes of grain per season.
13.03.2012 Source: ProAgro / Ukrinform

Ukraine plans to increase exports of barley to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine plans to increase exports of barley to Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk told after a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Wednesday. He noted that Ukraine was one of the largest producers of barley, with Saudi Arabia being one of its largest consumers. According to the minister, 4 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain was exported in the 2011 marketing year. In the current marketing year, it is planned to increase exports to 5 million tonnes.
29.02.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine, China to combat poor-quality agrochemicals conjointly
Ukraine and China will conjointly combat the sale in the Ukrainian market of poor-quality plant protection products (PPP). This is an urgent task in the light of the goal set to the Ukrainian farmers to increase annual grain production to 80-100 million tonnes. The relevant memorandum of cooperation was signed last weekend in Beijing by heads of the State Inspection for Plant Protection of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals of China's Ministry of Agriculture, Oleksandr Tokar and Gu Baogen.
"Up to 40% of the pesticides, which are supplied to Ukraine - this is China-made products. Of these, about 20% make counterfeit, which are either imported illegally, or do not comply with quality certification," Tokar emphasized. He noted that some structures declare themselves as Chinese manufacturers, but in fact they are offshore companies. According to inspectors, the number of such suppliers is up to 50% of their total number. For Ukraine it is very important to obtain information from China about who is the real producer of chemical products, and who is involved in counterfeiting.
In Beijing the sides signed one more memorandum - on cooperation between the Ukrainian Association of Fumigation and Plant Protection and the China Society for Plant Protection, which is also designed to control the coming of substandard products to the Ukrainian market. As earlier reported, Ukraine produces almost no pesticides, buying them every year more and more. For example, in 2011 they were purchased at about USD 350 million.
27.02.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Poultry production in Ukraine in 2012 may increase by 3-5% compared with 2011, the chairman of the board of directors of the Union of Poultry Farmers of Ukraine, Oleksandr Bakumenko, told reporters.
25.01.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Yanukovych unhappy with land reform
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that he is dissatisfied with the slow pace of preparations for the land reform in Ukraine. "We must not forget that the ultimate goal of the reform is not the delimitation of land, especially on paper, and an increase in the standards of budgetary calculations. The purpose of the land reform is to ensure the real right of land ownership and the development on this basis of modern agricultural production," Yanukovych said.
21.02.2012 Source: Ukrinform

State budget revenues from agroindustrial complex reach UAH 40.1 billion in 2011
Last year, a part of revenues to the state budget from agroindustrial enterprises increased to UAH 40.1 billion, director of department for development of agrarian markets at the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry Serhiy Kvasha has said. Gross production of agricultural products in Ukraine in 2011 made up UAH 118.1 billion, incl. UAH 75.2 billion on plant growing.
13.02.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukrainian farmers to increase use of mineral fertilizers by 50% in next 5-7 years
Ukrainian farmers will increase the use of mineral fertilizers by 50% in the next five to seven years, Director General of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association Volodymyr Lapa has predicted. The expert stressed that in recent years, there has been a trend towards an increase in the use of mineral fertilizers. Another thing is that the structure of the use of mineral fertilizers is changing, in particular, in the direction of such products as liquid nitrogen, he added. Lapa said that theoretically, domestic production can fully cover the needs of domestic producers in terms of nitrogen fertilizers, but in terms of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, the situation is somewhat different. But even in terms of nitrogen fertilizers, imports are conducted, as a means of balancing the market, he said.
10.02.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Ukraine asks EBRD to finance renewal of agricultural machinery
Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk addressed President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Thomas Mirow requesting to help the country in renewal of the agricultural machinery park. According to him, mainly obsolete equipment hampers Ukraine to fully use its agrarian potential, or its insufficient number. "We lose about 7 million tonnes of grain from each yield due to this," the official noted.
The EBRD President assured that his bank will further support joint with Ukraine projects in the agrarian sphere. Mirow expressed conviction that Ukraine will be able to more efficiently use its export potential. At the same time, he admitted that for reaching this goal, Ukraine needs to improve its technical base and logistic possibilities. "We, in particular, are jointly working to increase possibilities of the Dnieper as a way for transportation of goods," the EBRD President said.
20.01.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Cattle livestock reduces in Ukraine
Cattle livestock in Ukraine reduced 2.5% last year. Therefore, 2011 became the 22nd year in succession, which is characterized by a negative dynamics of the cattle livestock growth.
As of January 1, 2012, the State Statistics Service in Ukraine counted 4.471 million heads of cattle. Over 12 months of 2011 cow heads reduced by 1.6% to 2.588 million. Like over previous years, in household economies, which have up to 80% of all cows, cow heads reduced quicker against on average in the country. Over recent five years, the number of cow heads at household economies fell by over 25%.
In 2011, the pig stock reduced by 6.1% to 7.478 million heads. Sheep and goat population increased by 0.5% to 1.740 million heads. The number of poultry stock over this period reduced by 2.1% to 199.510 million heads.
18.01.2012 Source: Ukrinform

Investment boom waits for Ukraine in cattle breeding
Thanks to investments of local businessmen, Ukraine will soon refuse from import of pork. A similar investment boom is expected in the dairy sector. There was no such a rapid growth in any sector in 2011as was in pig breeding. In 2010 Ukrainian enterprises exported only 610 tonnes of pork and earned USD 2.7 million, whereas over 10 months of 2011, exports made up 9,200 tonnes and earnings - USD 42 million.
Till now, national and foreign investors ignored this sector of agriculture, preferring plant growing and poultry breeding. A considerable part of pork was produced by private economies. However, either the quality of their products or the volumes which they could supply to the country's processing enterprises, failed to meet the economy needs.
Over recent four months of 2011, corporation Agroprodservice, PJSC Kremenchukmiaso, agroholding KSG Agro and others announced about investments in pig breeding. Foreign business is also ready to invest, but still it is hampered by the absence of the right to purchase the land for fodder growing. However, even at the expense of internal investments, First Vice Prime Minister Andriy Kliuyev is convinced, Ukraine could refuse from import of meat and meat products over two years.
In 2012, a similar investment boom may start in dairy cattle husbandry, because the initial conditions are very similar. 80% of products were provided by small economies and it was very difficult for processing enterprises to find quality milk with them.
05.01.2012 Source: Focus magazine / Ukrinform

Farmers purchased agricultural machinery at UAH 3.2 billion in 2011
Ukrainian farmers purchased agricultural machinery at UAH 3.2 billion in 2011. Only during eight months of this year, agricultural producers purchased over 10,000 units of agricultural machinery. This considerably exceeds indexes of two previous years over the same periods of time, but fails to fully provide for the needs of farmers, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said. According to him, the national agricultural machinery building sector is able to annually produce up to 300 units of grain harvesters and about 5,000 tractors, which cannot provide for the farmers' needs. A partial coverage of deficit in high-tech machinery and equipment, which are not produced in Ukraine, is provided by imports.
"The state renders financial support for the purchase of exclusively innovation samples of the best world producers. The ministry, jointly with leading scientific establishments, has studied a list of new agricultural machinery and equipment made abroad, analogues of which are not produced in Ukraine, to be purchased by agricultural enterprises in 2011-2013," Mykola Prysiazhniuk noted. The draft state budget 2012 provides for a partial compensation of the cost of complicated agricultural machinery made in Ukraine.
11.11 2011 Source: Ukrinform