Farmers operate combines while harvesting wheat in a field in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, outside the town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine. (Reuters Photo)

KYIV- Ukraine’s grain exports in the 2024/25 July-June season reached 8.7 million metric tons as of Sept. 16, compared with 5.9 million tons by Sept. 20 in the previous season, agriculture ministry data showed on Monday.

The volume included 4.8 million tons of wheat, 2.5 million tons of corn and 1.2 million tons of barley.

Ukrainian government and farm associations have agreed to limit wheat exports in the 2024/25 July-June season to 16.2 million tons. There are no curbs on exports of other commodities.

The ministry said that traders have exported 1.2 million tons of grain so far in September. Exports totaled 1.3 million tons over Sept. 1-20 last year.

The 2024 combined grain and oilseed crop is expected to fall to 77 million tons, including 56 million tons of grain, the ministry has said.

Ukraine’s grain exports in the 2023/24 marketing season rose to about 51 million tons from 49.2 million tons the previous year. 

Ukraine has approved the final details of a new system of minimum export prices for the country’s key grains and oilseeds shipments, the government said earlier, a plan that grains traders say could disrupt exports and their trade.

The government launched the plan to tackle price distortions linked to the war with Russia, which has seen an increase in domestic cash purchases of some agricultural products and their subsequent export at artificially low prices to avoid taxes.

The cabinet has now approved the procedure for setting the minimum prices, clearing the way for them to be introduced. Ukrainian officials have said the new scheme could be launched in August, but it is not yet clear exactly when the new rules will come into effect.