Ukraine's grain exports fell to about 5.2 million metric tons in March from 5.8 million tons in February, Agriculture Ministry data showed on Monday.
The ministry gave no explanation for the fall.
However, the Ukrainian association of agricultural companies UCAB linked the decline to shelling by Russian forces in southern Ukraine, which disrupted seaport operations, and the blocking of land exports by Polish protesters.
Ukraine's grain exports fell to about 34.9 million tonnes, compared with 38 million the previous year, the data showed.
So far this season, 13.8 million tons of wheat, 18.8 million tons of corn and 1.96 million tons of barley. UCAB stated that Ukraine exported a total of 7.2/mi ton of products in March, representing a drop of 10.2% compared to the previous month.
Last month's volume also included 445,300 tonnes of oilseeds and 651,100 tonnes of vegetable oils, it said.
In addition to the disruption caused by bombings and protests, UCAB said the drop in March was due to previous large export volumes. That is, carryover stocks have been reduced and prices have been low on the global market for all types of grains and oilseeds.
Traditionally, Ukraine exports around 95% of its grain through its Black Sea deep-water ports.
Source: Pavel Polityuk | Notícias Agrícolas
