Ukraine grain output to drop 40pc

Ukraine's wheat harvest is expected to fall by 40 per cent, the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) said Wednesday, as the Russian invasion has sent prices soaring and sparked fears of a global food crisis.

Kyiv will likely export half the amount of grain that it did in the previous season, the group said.

Moscow's offensive has not only devastated crops and farming, but also disrupted crucial deliveries from Ukraine -- one of the world's main grain producers -- fuelling concerns about hunger and food prices worldwide.

Ukraine expects to collect just over 19 million tones of wheat this season, compared to the 33 million tonnes it had harvested last year, the association said. It assured that it will be able to export at least  "a part" of the grain, despite fighting ravaging the country.

"Despite the occupation of territories and mined fields, Ukraine will be supplied with grain and will be able to export part of the harvest." Even with 19 million tons, production is still three times Ukraine's annual wheat consumption. An additional 10 million tones from the previous harvest are still in storage.