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.

“Last year the growth of [agricultural] exports is expected to reach 30.8%, from USD 13 billion to USD 17 billion. In this situation, the agricultural sector is becoming one of the most promising areas for investment,” the official 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 tons of grain.

UKRINFORM