Compared to a record harvest of 86 million tons in 2021, the government announced that Ukraine could harvest at least 50 million tons of grain this year, due to the loss of territory to Russian troops and declining productivity.

Grain exports in the 2021-2022 season, which ended on June 30, rose 8.5% to 48.5 million tons, driven by strong shipments ahead of Russia's military operations in Ukraine on February 24.

Exports of Ukrainian grain have declined sharply since the beginning of the war, owing to the closure of Ukraine's Black Sea ports, the main shipping route, to a large extent, which has caused high global food prices and raised fears of food shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

Ministry of Agriculture data showed that exports in July included 128 1,000 tons of maize, 24,000 tons of wheat and 10,000 tons of barley.

Ukraine is seeking agreement with the United Nations and Turkey to facilitate the exit of some 22 million tons of grain stuck in its ports, to which international markets are looking to calm price rises.