Ukraine's grain exports have reached 5 million metric heaps this month, compared to 3 million heaps by the very same phase of last May, agriculture ministry data showed on Wednesday.

Total grain exports in the 2023/24 July-June marketing season had actually reached 46.4 million tons by May 29, against 44.9 million heaps by the same date in the previous season.

The total exports included 17.2 million lots of wheat, 26.2 million tons of corn and about 2.4 million tons of barley.

Ukraine usually sends out about 95% of its grain exports by means of its Black Sea ports.

The Ukrainian government anticipates a harvest of 81.3 million tons of grain and oilseeds this season, with a 2023/24 exportable surplus of about 50 million loads.

The ministry has said the 2024 combined grain and oilseed crop could fall to 74 million loads, consisting of 52.4 million tons of grain.

The economy ministry expects the 2024 grain and oilseed crops to reach 73 million tons.