Ukraine, Kazakhstan & South Africa Increasing Ag Exports

The Ukraine, Kazakhstan & South Africa are becoming factors in the export market for grains and other crops, also opening up a demand for new equipment, USAgNet reports.

Ukraine exported over 2 million metric tons of grain in December, of which about 1.6 million metric tons was corn, according to U.S. Grains Council sources. Ukraine’s winter crops are reported to be in poor condition due to the dry fall and winter, which could mean a smaller 2012 harvest despite an increase in planted acres. If that happens and Ukraine sees a return of moisture, it could mean even larger plantings of corn this spring, according to Cary Sifferath, USGC regional director.

Kazakhstan reportedly increased its area planted to grains by one-third last year and had a very good crop, increasing wheat output by 4 million tons.

South Africa continues to ship white corn to Mexico, however, because of contract obligations established last summer. Mexico has received just under 1 million tons of white corn (39 million bushels) in South Africa’s current crop year.