Ukraine should develop grain exports to Southeast Asia, say experts
Kyiv, September 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The most promising direction of Ukrainian grain exports are the countries of Southeast Asia, in particular, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, according to experts from the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) and APK-Inform company.
UGA President Volodymyr Klymenko said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine next year it is planned to hold several conferences to present Ukrainian agricultural products in the said countries.
"We should create sites so that our traders are able to meet potential buyers and producers – to look for investments," he said.
He said that the first conference would be held in March in Hong Kong.
The head of business projects at APK-Inform, Rodion Rybchynsky, said that in contrast to the countries of North Africa and the Middle East, where Ukraine mainly exports its grain, the Southeast Asian markets are stable from a political and economic point of view.
"Southeast Asia are countries with growing economies, and the largest percentage of the population is added in these countries, so there is sense in focusing exports of Ukrainian agricultural products on these markets," he said.
According to the expert, last agricultural year (July 2012 – June 2013) grain exports from Ukraine to the countries of the region came to around 500,000 tonnes, while a total of 70.3 million tonnes of grain was imported by the said countries.
Rybchynsky added that the positive factor for developing grain exports to the region was the favorable situation on the freight market.
As reported, referring to the forecast of the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine, this year Ukraine will have a record harvest of almost 58 million tonnes of grain compared to the 46.2 million tonnes harvested last year. The grain export potential in the 2013/14 agri-year is over 30 million tonnes.