February 18 2004, 08:34 UNIAN

Gvt to permit preferential imports of raw sugar since Jun. 1

Ukrainian government is planning to permit preferential imports of cane-origin raw sugar to Ukraine since June 1, 2004, the Head of the National Sugar Industry Association "Ukrtsukor" Mykola Yarchuk has informed, according to UNIAN news agency.

He said corresponding government resolution was being currently prepared.

"If the imports start before that, the market will be damped over altogether, because the price is very low and tends to further drop", Yarchuk said.

The Law of Ukraine "About the 2004 State Budget" has stipulated import of raw sugar to Ukraine in the amount of 125,000 tonnes until September 15, 2004, at the rate of import duty equalling 30 euros per tonne. The sales of the quotas for import of raw sugar will be exclusively auction-based, at a price of no less than 60 euros per tonne.