March 5 2003, 13:31 Interfax-Ukraine

Milling grain stocks in Ukraine are enough to ensure bread prices stability - agriculture minister

Stocks of milling grain in domestic market are about 4.5 million tonnes, which is enough to completely meet the demand of bread baking industry and to ensure stability of bread prices till the new crop, Ministry of Agrarian Policy Serhiy Ryzhuk told March 4 in the news programme of Ukrainian state TV channel.

He said the data were based on market participants' grain stocks declaration, submitted to state statistic bodies in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. He also said that the Ministry had currently collected only 70 percent of the grain declarations.

4.5 million tonnes is only the registered part of the grain, the minister said.

Demand of Ukrainian baking industry in milling grain is about 6 to 6.5 million tonnes of grain a year.