UKRAINE (3 February)
Winter crop damages have been reported significantly higher than the damages during the past six years. Relatively warmer weather conditions and insufficient snow cover have resulted in severe frost in most parts of the country, compromising winter cereals. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of the winter cereal areas (7.78 million hectares) will be replanted in spring, while yields from the remainder of the winter cereals are expected to be below average. The 2003 cereal harvest is, therefore, tentatively estimated at about 35 million tonnes, which is about 3.4 million tonnes less than the 2002 harvest. This year’s aggregate cereal harvest includes 18.9 million tonnes of wheat, 8.7 million tonnes of barley and 4.8 million tonnes of maize. Cereal exports in the current marketing year are estimated at 12.2 million tonnes, including 8 million tonnes of wheat and 3.3 million tonnes of barley.