Ukrainian News, Laryssa Huk, 10/02/2002

Egypt is interested in purchasing 3 million tons of Ukrainian grain, wheat in particular, Agrarian Policy Minister Sergei Ryzhuk announced at the press conference upon his return from Egypt where negotiations were held.

The first information obtained from negotiation reported by Ryzhuk was: "Egypt wants to buy 3 million tons."

He added that a Ukrainian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Kozachenko is continuing negotiations on foodstuffs sales to Egypt.

Ryzhuk noted that export from Ukraine in general is very intensive and grain sales accounted for over 1.1 million tons in September.

As Ukrainian News has informed, Ukrainian delegation headed by Kozachenko left for Cairo to hold negotiations on grain.

According to the estimates of the Cabinet of Ministers, in 2002/2003 marketing year grain export may reach 12-13 million tons.

At present, according to the estimates of the specialists from the Cabinet of Ministers, exports of newly harvested grain exceed 3 million tons.

According to the experts' estimates, grain export in 2001/2002 totaled 9.5-10 million tons.

This year a grain harvest of 39-40 million tons is expected (39.7 million tons in 2001).