Ukraine is occupying new markets for agricultural products sales, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"We are gradually occupying new markets for the sale of agricultural produce: Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of South Africa," he said at the opening of the 25th International Agricultural Exhibition Agro 2013 in Kyiv on Wednesday.

The president also said that the situation in the field of animal breeding in the country is improving, and gross production in this field demonstrated a steady increase from 2010 to 2012.

"It is pleasant to note that the world is interested in our grain and animal products. Ukraine at present [also] exports timber to the EU," said Yanukovych.

He also added that Ukraine holds one of the leading positions on the global grain market.

"Every eleventh tonne [of grain] sold on the world market last year was of Ukrainian origin. We account for about 9% of the global grain market," the head of state said.

Speaking about the exhibition taking place on Wednesday, the president noted its importance in demonstrating the agricultural potential of Ukraine, and noted that the event had attracted more than 1,400 companies, 120,000 visitors, and participants from 17 countries, including Russia, Belarus, Italy, Germany, India, China, the United States, Turkey, and Britain.