Ukraine To Harvest 45MMT Grain In 2009 - Minister

The Ukraine will harvest 45 mln tons of grains in 2009, according to Yuri Melnik, the Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine. This is a 15.5% drop from output of 53.3mmt in 2008. The harvest will depend a lot on weather conditions, added the Minister. The Ministry have yet to put a figure on wheat production for the coming season, but private estimates peg output around 18-20mmt compared to 25.9mmt in 2008.