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In January-July of 2015, Ukraine's export of agricultural products amounted to $7.7 billion, accounting for 35% of total foreign currency earnings, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine reported with reference to Minister Oleksiy Pavlenko.
"Despite the pressure from Russia, the agricultural sector was able to export products worth $7.7 billion over the first seven months of the year. This makes up 35% of total foreign currency earnings from exports of all goods," a statement reads.
The minister stressed that the trade surplus of agricultural products, which amounted to $5.6 billion, certifies high quality of Ukrainian goods.
Pavlenko noted that achieving such results was possible thanks to deregulation in the agricultural sector. According to the minister, cancelation of 14 permits and six licenses will help agricultural business save about UAH 5 billion.
As UNIAN reported earlier, according to data released by the Agrarian Ministry, in the 2014-2015 marketing year (July 2014 - June 2015) Ukraine exported 34.8 million tonnes of grain, a record high level, which is 1.6 million tonnes more year-over-year. In particular, wheat exports totaled 11.2 million tonnes, export of corn - 18.8 million tonnes, export of barley - 4.5 million tonnes, export of other grains - 0.3 million tonnes.
The ministry estimates that in the 2015-2016 marketing year the country will export 36.83 million tonnes of agricultural products.
Since the beginning of 2014 Russia substantially stepped up its pressure on Ukrainian producers by limiting or prohibiting the import of plant and dairy products, cheese and cheese-like products, pork, meat, poultry, confectionery, canned fish, juices, alcohol and beer.
The Russian market accounted for mere 2% in Ukraine's total export of agricultural products in the first half of 2015, as compared to 8% in the same period last year.