May 30 2002, 10:51 Interfax-Ukraine

Meat exports from Ukraine increased 47.5 percent in the first four month of 2002

Interfax-Ukraina reported that exports of meat and meat products surged 47.5 percent in January - April of 2002 compared with the same period of 2001 and comprised US $57.65mn, while imports increased 2.5 times and reached US $10.45mn, according to official customs statistics. April exports declined compared with March by 1.5 percent but were still higher than in April of 2001 by 11 percent. Russia remains a major destination for meat exported from Ukraine. Exporters could increase exports even more but they complain about problems with timely VAT refund by the government.