Ukraine has exported almost 4.3 million metric tons of grain so far this month, exceeding the 3.8 million tons exported over the same period a year earlier, agriculture ministry data showed on Friday.

The ministry gave no explanation for the increase.

Ukraine's grain exports so far in the 2023/24 July-June marketing season have fallen to about 28.2 million tons from 30.8 million a year earlier, the data showed.

Exports have included 11 million tons of wheat, 15.2 million tons of corn and 1.56 million tons of barley.

Ukraine has traditionally exported most of its grain via its deep-water Black Sea ports.

The Ukrainian government expects a harvest of 81.3 million tons of grain and oilseeds in 2023, with a 2023/24 exportable surplus of about 50 million tons. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk Editing by David Goodman )