USDA lowers forecast for wheat production in Ukraine

MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lowered its July forecast for Ukraine's wheat production in the 2022/2023 marketing year by 2 million tonnes to 19.5 million tonnes, while keeping projected exports at 10 million tonnes.

"Ukraine production is lowered 2.0 million tonnes to 19.5 million on a reduction in harvested area, as indicated by government statistics," the USDA said in its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates published on Tuesday.

The estimate for domestic consumption of wheat in Ukraine has been lowered by 1 million tonnes from June's 11.2 million tonnes to 10.2 million tonnes, with domestic feed lowered from 6 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes, according to the USDA.

The estimate for ending stocks has been lowered from 6.01 million tonnes to 5.24 million tonnes compared to beginning stocks of 5.84 million tonnes.

The USDA has kept its forecast for Ukraine's corn exports at 9 million tonnes in 2022/2023 and its overall production at 25 million tonnes. Domestic consumption also remains unchanged at 10.7 million tonnes.

The USDA's estimate for coarse grain production in Ukraine is still at 31.76 million tonnes, and course grain exports are also the same at 10.83 million tonnes.

Ukraine exported 48.51 million tonnes of grains and pulses in the agricultural marketing year running from July 2021 to June 2022, 8.4% more than the previous marketing year despite difficulties with export due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports.

Wheat exports totaled 18.74 million tonnes, up 12.6% year-on-year, corn totaled 23.54 million tonnes, up 1.9%, barley reached 5.75 million tonnes, up 35.9%, and flour totaled 70,900 tonnes, down 44.1%.

Wheat production totaled 33 million tonnes, and course grains came to 53.5 million tonnes, including 42.13 million tonnes of corn.