Ukraine's grain gains

摘要

Despite recent political and economic difficulties, Ukraine looks set to continue strengthening its position as one of the world's leading grain exporters. The Ministry of Infrastructure has formed an agreement with the global food producer and trader Cargill to jointly build a new grain terminal at the Black Sea harbour of Yuzhny. Phase one, due for completion in 2017, will have capacity to handle 5 Mtpa, with plans for a second phase adding capacity for a further another 2 to 4 Mtpa. Construction is due to begin in 2016, following capital dredging and other necessary ground works. Cargill will invest around US$100M in exchange for a 51 % stake. "Ukraine's agriculture has great potential and it will only increase in the future," said Cargill CEO Martin Schuldt. "Cargill needs additional infrastructure to be able to handle more cargoes, so the Yuzhny terminal will allow us to deliver up to 70% of our Ukrainian grain exports." Earlier this year, UkrLand-Farming (ULF), Ukraine's largest vertically integrated agribusiness, confirmed its readiness to build a 3 to 5 Mtpa grain export terminal at Yuzhny, including construction of a 100,000t to 200,000t grain elevator and two berths, set for completion by 2017.