MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) - Some 20,000 tonnes more sugar will be put in storage for domestic consumption this year, Chairman of the Belarusian food industry Belgospishcheprom concern Oleg Zhidkov said in an interview to Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.
“This year we plan to store 20,000 tonnes more sugar to provide the domestic market. This year we have consumed 380,000 tonnes of sugar, including a number of peak moments caused by an increased demand in summer and spring. With this in mind, we plan to put at least 400,000 tonnes in storage to provide the domestic market with sugar in an uninterrupted quantity and in sufficient volume,” said Oleg Zhidkov.
The Belgospishcheprom head said that the Slutsk sugar refinery was launched on 6 September, followed shortly afterwards by the Skidel and Gorodeya sugar refineries. The Zhabinka sugar refinery is expected to be launched in late September. Plans are in place to process 39,500 tonnes of sugar beet per day.
Belarus plans to export sugar as well. The sales markets are Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Sugar beet harvest is underway in three Belarusian regions - Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev.
