National News

Lukashenko: Belarus' positions on global potash fertilizer market growing stronger

Commissioning of the Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant is a new incentive for the development of Petrikov District, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to launch Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant of the Belaruskali potash producer on 27 August, BelTA has learned.

"With the commissioning of Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant, we will strengthen our positions in the global potash market. The entire Petrikov District will receive a new incentive for development, and, hopefully, will quickly catch up with Soligorsk both in salaries and in terms of living standards," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president noted that a lot has already been done in the town of Petrikov. About Br50 million has been allocated for the improvement of the town, almost all of its infrastructure has been upgraded. "I want Petrikov residents to understand that this is the money of the entire country, and this is the advantage of Belarus' social structure and development. We are gradually creating these reference points of growth in our country by joint efforts. We are developing this mine not only for ourselves, but also for the whole world and, above all, for our neighbors. Our neighbor Ukraine was the breadbasket of the Soviet Union, and it will remain so. It needs a huge amount of mineral fertilizers, including potash," the head of state said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, today, despite the position of the Ukrainian government, Belarus seeks to save economic relations and to develop cooperation (by the way, the launch ceremony in Petrikov was attended by member of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Evgeny Shevchenko, who is shooting a film about Belarus). "Ukrainians are our kin. In any situation, we will have a warm regard for these people, whatever the position of your president is," the Belarusian leader assured.

Twelve apartment buildings have been built for employees of the mining and processing plant. Three more houses will be commissioned by the end of the year. A new preschool center for 240 places will open its doors on 1 September.

As of 1 August 2021, the mine in Petrikov District produced about 1.4 million tonnes of ore, and the processing plant manufactured almost 158,000 tonnes of potash fertilizers. Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant has completed all preparatory work. Work is currently underway on the facilities of the three phases of the construction project.

In H1 2021 Belaruskali posted growth in potash production and export year-on-year. Belaruskali produced 6.496 million tonnes of potash fertilizers, up 21.8% compared with the same stretch a year ago. In January-July 2021 the output reached 7.546 million tonnes, up 16.6% from the same period of the previous year.

Belaruskali utilized its production capacities at 100%. Since January 2021 the company has ramped up the output from 11.500 million tonnes to 13.150 million tonnes per year in physical terms.

In H1 2021, the production of mineral fertilizers surged by 21.7% year-on-year, that of potash fertilizers by 21.8%, NPK fertilizers by 12.1%, fertilizer mixtures by 28.5%.

In January-July 2021, the export of potash fertilizers increased by 10.4%, or by 655,000 tonnes, and amounted to 6.980 million tonnes. The company sold 625,000 tonnes domestically, which was up by 65.5% year-on-year.