OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2008. Grain stocks grew by 44 percent over five months in Ukraine, to 6.7 million tons against the same period of the previous year. At the same time, the wheat stocks increased by 20 percent, to 3.5 million tons, the State Statistics Committee informs.

The agricultural enterprises directly stockpile 1.9 million tons of grain, at grain elevators and grain collecting stations, as well as at flour-grinding enterprises and bread-baking plants there are 4.8 million tons of grain, including 3.2 million tons at grain elevators and grain collecting stations.

The average purchase price for grain made up UAH 1,175/ton in January-May in Ukraine, including for wheat - UAH 1,161/ton, rye - UAH 1,142/ton, barley - UAH 1,343/ton and corn - UAH 1,152/ton.

According to the Agricultural Policy Ministry, Ukraine forecasts to gather a grain yield from 15.6 million hectares, including eight million hectares are under wheat crops and 7.6 million hectares are under spring crops.

For today, 60 thousand tons of grain is sold by forwards contracts. In the current season, the Agrarian Fund should purchase 881 thousand tons of grain on the whole, including 803 thousand tons of wheat and 78 thousand tons of rye.