KIEV, Nov. 17 - A sharp fall in prices and a decrease in the demand for chemicals on the foreign and Ukrainian markets in October has triggered a 20-50% decrease in chemical production, according to Ukrainian Industry Minister Volodymyr Novytsky.

"Ammonium prices on the foreign market fell by three times compared to the third quarter of this year. The demand [for chemicals] has also fallen in Ukraine – the domestic market is practically frozen," he said at a council with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and chemical sector leaders.