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London--Ukraine could lose up to 30% of its grain in some regions as heavy rain hammers crops just as the harvest gets underway, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday.

A powerful cyclone--abnormal for this time of year--has hit the center of the country, with some parts receiving 150 millimeters of rain in four days, compared to a monthly average of 80 millimeters, according to Hydrometcenter.

Some industry analysts project a 10% decline and some say the losses may reach 20%-30% in the affected regions if heavy rains continue for another week, as forecasters expect, said the USDA.

"Rains in Ukraine that lasted for over a week in the last part of June will definitely have a negative impact on the production of major winter crops, including wheat and barley," it said in the report.

But it noted that rain could be beneficial for corn and sunflower plant development.

Before the rains the USDA's Kiev attache was forecasting Ukraine would harvest 19 million metric tons of wheat, 8.5 million tons of barley and 15 million tons of corn in 2011-12. It said it will update these forecasts when more data are available on the extent of the damage.

Hydrometcenter of Ukraine forecasts rains to continue in the country for at least another five to seven days. If the rain continues on its current trajectory, the regions of Khersonska, Donetska and the Republic of Crimea will be hit next.