Ukrainian grain exports to Egypt grow by 10.5% in 2017

Exports of Ukrainian grain crops to Egypt in 2017 grew by 10.5% against 2016, to $833.8 million, accounting for the lion's share in the structure of exports among the importing countries of Ukrainian grain.

"Egypt has traditionally held the leading position in the ranking of Ukraine's major importers of grain crops since 2011. Last year, it bought Ukrainian grain to the tune of $833.8 million, which was 10.5% up against 2016, and accounted for 12.8% of the total grain exports," the press center of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economy" said.

As reported, Asian, African and European countries remained the major buyers of Ukrainian grain in 2017.

Spain ranked second in the TOP-10 of Ukrainian grain importers, having increased grain purchases by almost 10% compared to 2016, to 475.6 million (7.3%), while China ranked third with Ukrainian grain imports worth $447.3 million (6.9%).

Read alsoEU accounts for almost half of agri-food supplies to Ukraine in 2017 – expert"They are followed by the Netherlands, which ranked only 13th in the ranking of domestic grain importers in 2016. Last year, its purchases of this agricultural produce totaled $446.5 million (6.9%), which was 2.2 times up against 2016. Italy in 2017 boosted grain imports by 1.3 times to $340 million (5.1%)," the press service said.

It is noted that grain exports to Indonesia in 2017 remained almost at the level of 2016, amounting to $329 million (5.1%), while Bangladesh imported Ukrainian grain worth $317 million (4.9%), which was 10% up from 2016. Ukrainian cereal exports to Saudi Arabia were estimated at $295 million last year (4.5%).

Israel purchased Ukrainian grain to the tune of $281 million (4.3%), which was 1.6 times up against 2016, having climbed from 15th place to the Top-10 rating. Ukraine's grain exports to India amounted to $266 million (4.1%).

"The real 'highlight' in 2017 was Turkey, which in previous years bought almost no grain from Ukraine. In the past year, the exports of cereals to this country were estimated at $237 million, which accounted for 3.6% of the total grain exports," the press service added.