Ukraine's grain harvest hits record high in 2018

KIEV, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's grain harvest last year hit a record high of 70.1 million tons thanks to a higher corn yield, the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry said on Wednesday.

In 2018, Ukrainian farmers reaped about 35.8 million tons of corn, 24.6 million tons of wheat and 7.3 million tons of barley, according to a report published on the ministry's website.

The record yield enables Ukraine to fully meet domestic demand and expand grain exports to foreign markets, the ministry said.

During its last fiscal year, Ukraine exported 39.4 million tons of grain, with China being the largest importer of its corn with a share of 16.4 percent.

In 2017, Ukraine's grain harvest was estimated to be 61.3 million tons.