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for 58% of demand. During the first half of 2018, only one new warehouse entered the market, 3,500 square meters in western Kyiv region. In the second half, only one new warehouse is planned – 6,200 square meters in southwestern Kyiv region. Relief is to come next year, with the planned openings of three projects, totaling 83,000 square meters.
9.1.6 Agriculture sector news
Ukraine's Agricultural Ministry has reviewed the nation's 2018 grain harvest upwards - from 63.1mn tonnes to 64mn tonnes , which is the second biggest harvest on record after the 2016 all time record of 66mn tonnes. According to the First Deputy Minister Maksym Martyniuk as a result of the rains, Ukraine has "very good" indicators for corn. He added that the ministry reviewed the outlook for grain exports from Ukraine by 0.5mn tonnes to 42.5mn tonnes, adding that the achievement of this indicator largely depends on the ability of the country's state-owned rail monopoly Ukrzaliznytsia to quickly solve current logistical problems and ensure a rhythmic supply of grain in ports. In September, the Ukrainian authorities reviewed upwards the 2018 grain harvest forecast from over 60mn tonnes to 63.1mn tonnes. Late grain crops will contribute to the growth, the official wrote on his Facebook page on September 11. Weather conditions were far from optimal, but losses were fragmentary, and as a result there is a decent ratio of bread wheat/coarse grains at 60/40, he added.
Ukraine has the largest amount of farm land of 42 European countries surveyed by OneSoil Map , a Belarus startup. According to analysis of European Space Agency photos, Ukraine has 35.9mn hectares cultivated in 2mn fields. This is 40% more than second place France, with 25.7mn hectares. Russia was not included in the survey. Using an AI algorithm to determine summer 2018 crop plantings, OneSoil says Ukraine’s top three crops were: corn -- 14.8mn hectares; wheat -- 5.4mn hectares; and grass -- 4mn hectares.
Sugar production in Ukraine as of October 24amounted to 757,900 tonnes. According to a report of the Ukrtsukor National Association of Sugar Producers, as of this date 39 sugar refineries were operating in the country, which have processed 5.89mn tonnes of sugar beets. As reported, Ukraine on August 31 started a new sugar making season. In 2018, the area under sugar beets was 280,000 hectares, which is 13% less than last year. Ukraine exported 560,400 tonnes of sugar in the 2017/2018 marketing year (MY, September-August), which is 27.2% less than in the previous MY. Sugar production in 2017/2018 MY increased by 6.5% and amounted to 2.14mn tonnes. Some 46 sugar mills operated during the season.
Investment in freezing equipment paid off this summer as Ukraine’s exports of frozen berries and frozen fruits rose by 80%, to $35mn. This is a record level for the first quarter of the season, June through August, reports IEG Vu agro news site.
Ukraine expects to finish this year with its second-largest grain harvest in its history – 64mn tons. The record was 66mn tons in 2016. This year, boosted by a bumper corn crop, production will be up 4.4%, reports the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry. During the current marketing year, which ends next June 30, Ukraine expects to export 42.5mn tons of grain, up 7.8% from last year. So far, 12mn tons have been exported. China’s Xinhua news
60 UKRAINE Country Report November 2018 www.intellinews.com