Agriculture

According to Ukrainian news, Ukrainian oil producers decreased sunflower oil production by 8.9% MoM to 215.8 thsd mt in February 2009.

MCB Agricol [4GW1 GR, U/R], a Ukrainian agricultural producer that is mainly focused on crop cultivation and grain trading, has started its spring sowing campaign in the southern regions of Ukraine.

Ukrros [UROS UZ, N/R], a Ukrainian sugar producer, has released its plans for 2009.

The Smart Holding, a Ukrainian business group owned by oligarch Vadim Novinsky, is in the process of establishing the grain trading company “Sagro”.

Landkom [LKI LN, N/R], a Ukrainian agriculture producer focusing on energy crops, has conditionally placed 10% of the company’s stock, or 40 mln new ordinary shares with a par value of 0.1 pence each, on the AIM.

As of March 10, 2009, Ukrainian banks have prolonged a total UAH 2 bln (USD 259.7 mln) or 50% of existing loans to agrarians, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture Yuriy Melnik.

According to Yuriy Melnik, the Minister of Agriculture, Ukraine will harvest 18-20 mln mt of winter wheat in 2009.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is currently considering the possibility of providing a loan of USD 50 mln to Ukraine via the company NCH New Europe Property Fund L.P..

The Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine, has overturned President Viktor Yuschenko‘s veto on prolonging the restriction on land trading in Ukraine. A total 382 of deputies voted on the extension of the Moratorium until January 1, 2010.

Ukraine’s grain exports reached 16 mln mt in the first eight months of the 2008/09 marketing year.