January 16 2002, 15:17 Interfax-Ukraine

Ukrainian oil crushers processed 27,1% of the sunflower crop 2001. Some crushers idle

As of Jan 14th 2002, 610,000 MT of sunflower seeds or 27,1% of the last year's crop was processed by Ukrainian oil crushers, said OliyaProm association.

Compared to last year processing of sunflower seeds dropped 21,8%

Only 831,000 Mt of sunflower seeds came to Ukrainian crushers which is 277,000MT lower than at the same time last year.

Association experts believe that decreased sunflower crushing is caused by insufficient supply of sunseed on the domestic market.

"There is no sunflower to speak of. Both Zaporizhzhia and Odesa crushers are idling because there is nothing to crush," said one association rep.

There are hopes that sunflower will reappear on the market soon as spring planting campaign approaches.

Statistics Committee declared sunflower crop 2001 to be 35% lower than such in 2000 i.e. 2,245 mn Mt.