KIEV, Nov. 1 – A senior government official on Thursday denied reports that Ukraine has been preparing to restrict exports of grain later this month.

Deputy Prime Minister and Social Policy Minister Serhiy Tyhypko said the government had never considered the measure, which he said would be anti-market.

"This is not a market measure, which does not strengthen the food security of the country and leads to direct losses for domestic agricultural producers,” Tyhypko said in a statement.