Ukraine grains stable after imports rise

KYIV, May 18 - Ukrainian grain prices were mostly unchanged over the week, following increased grain imports in April and the first few days of May, and traders forecast only minor price fluctuations in the near future. Traders say about 90,000 tons of grain were imported to Ukraine in April compared to about 50,000 tons in March. They also forecast large wheat imports in May because Ukraine still faces a shortage of bread-making wheat. Traders say Kazakhstan, Hungary, Turkey and Yugoslavia will remain the leading suppliers of wheat to Ukraine. Analysts say Ukraine doubled its wheat flour imports to more than 30,000 tons in April from 14,000 tons in March, and this also affected prices. Russia was the main supplier of wheat flour, delivering about 11,000 tons last month.