Winter crops sowing areas for 2010 also up by 2.1%

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Between January and November of 2009, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine produced a total of 655,600 tonnes of grains, a 7.6% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.

Wheat sale volumes went up by 17.6%, barley rose by 8.6%, and rye saw a 0.4% increase, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

In currency terms, US$525.4 million-worth (4.2 billion UAH) of agricultural products was produced.

Crimea is an agricultural hotspot in Ukraine, possessing fertile soil, well-trained labour, and processing branch capacities.

This came after the news that the sowing areas of grains and green feed for the harvest in 2010 have been increased by 2.1% compared to the index of 2008, currently standing at 646,900 hectares.�