Ukraine needs to transport up to 5 mln tonnes of crops per month to export both new and last year's harvest - Minister Solsky

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - This season Ukraine may export 70 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops from this and last year's harvest, which would require the monthly exportation of at least 5 million tonnes, as against 3 million exported in July.

"We still have about 18 million to 19 million tonnes of crops left from the previous season. I mean we need to export about 70 million tonnes of products over the year, before the next harvest. This is about 5 million tonnes per month. This is a large amount, but Ukrainian businesses and respective agencies are familiar with it. They can do it if no impediments are created for them," Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Solsky said in the Ukrainian TV marathon, as reported by the Ukrainian media.

One day ago, the ministry increased the forecast of Ukrainian grain and leguminous crop harvest by 5 million - 7 million tonnes from 60 million to 65 - 67 million tonnes in 2022. Out of that number, 50 million tonnes could be exported as agricultural raw materials or processed products, such as vegetable oils and meal, the minister said.

Not to mention the unblocking of seaports, Ukraine increased agricultural exports by truck, rail and river transport to 3 million tonnes in July, he said.

"Transportation bodies, businesses and the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry participating in this process are active, and the market is liberalized, competitive and highly intensive," Solsky said.