The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry Initiates Cancellation of Grain Export Duties

The Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry is planning to initiate the cancellation of customs duties on exports of grain crops, Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said.

"We will initiate amendments to the tax code so that these [grain export duties] are cancelled," he said. Prysiazhniuk recalled that the ministry had clearly expressed its negative position regarding any export duties - on grain crops, oilseeds, and sunflower oil. Earlier, the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry proposed a reduction in grain export duties. Customs duties on grain exports until January 1, 2012 came into force on July 1, 2011, and their rates were approved at 9% for wheat, but not less than EUR 17 per ton, at 14% for barley, but not less than EUR 23 per ton, and at 12% for corn, but not less than EUR 20 per ton.