Ukraine has used up 99% of its 2019/20 wheat export quota

Ukraine's wheat sales have reached 20 million tonnes as of May 25, leaving only 200,000 tonnes available for export over the rest of the season which runs until June 30, in line with a memorandum signed with traders, economy ministry data showed on Monday.

A senior government official said last month that Ukraine, the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter, was ready to ban wheat exports if sales exceed limits agreed with traders.

Ukraine's wheat harvest largely exceeds domestic consumption, but last month bakers and millers asked the government to limit grain exports to maintain bread prices.

The ministry said this month it would not increase the wheat export quota for the current season.

The ministry also said on Monday that total grain exports had reached a record 53.5 million tonnes in the 2019/20 season. In addition to wheat, the exports included 28 million tonnes of corn and 4.8 million tonnes of barley.

Ukraine's grain exports will rise to a record 52-55 million tonnes this season from 50 million in the 2018/19 season, the ministry has forecast. 

Reuters