The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry is against the possible extension of export duties on grain by the end of the current marketing year, Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said.

He also said that he knew nothing about the consideration by the government of proposals for the possible introduction of duties on sunflower oil and soybean exports.

Earlier, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Vadym Kopylov said that grain export duties could be extended from January 1 until July 1, 2012.

Ukraine exported about 12 million tons of grain in the 2010/2011 marketing year, with the harvest being 39.3 million tons.

From July 1 to January 1, 2012, Ukraine introduced duties on exports of wheat (at 9%, but not less than EUR 17 per ton), corn (at 12%, but not less than EUR 20 per ton), and barley (at 14%, but not less EUR 23 per ton).

The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry has recently initiated the cancellation of the duties, but the government rejected this proposal.

UKRINFORM