Ukraine's loss may be Kazakhstan's gain. Akylbek Kurishbayev, the Kazakh agriculture minister, has forecast that the nation will be able to cash in on a bumper harvest because of weaker production in its neighbouring country.

Mr Kurishbayev said that Kazakhstan would export 7m-8m tonnes of grain in 2009-10, up from 5.5m tonnes last year.

While the increase reflects in part a stronger harvest - Kazakhstan is forecasting a rise of 15-20% in its grain output this year, from the 15.6m tonnes in 2008 – it is also down to falling production in Ukraine freeing up transport infrastructure.

Ukraine's crop is expected to drop to 42-43m tonnes from 53.3m tonnes last year.

"Due to lower harvest and export potential in Ukraine, it will be possible to renew exports of Kazakh grain through Black Sea ports," Mr Kurishbayev said.

Landlocked

Transport shortages, while an issue throughout the former Soviet Bloc, are a particular problem for Kazakhstan, a landlocked nation, which uses Ukraine as a route for getting grain to Black Sea ports.

 Kazakhstan plans to build a grain terminal on the border with China to encourage purchases by Beijing.

In 2009-10, Afghanistan, Caucasus, Central Asia and Iran are expected to be major destinations for Kazakh grain, Mr Kurishbayev said.

Ukraine's grain exports, pegged at about 25m tonnes last year, have been forecast at 17m-19m in 2009-10.