KIEV, Feb. 13 – The Ukrainian grain trading companies that have received grain export licenses have started shipping the first batches for export, of the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) President Volodymyr Klymenko told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The first vessel with export barley on board has left," he said.

The Economy Ministry started issuing grain export licenses according to the 1.2-million-ton quota distributed a week ago on the afternoon of Feb. 11.