PETRIKOV DISTRICT, 27 August (BelTA) – OAO Belaruskali is one of the most reliable players on the global market of fertilizers, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he attended the solemn inauguration ceremony of Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant of the Belaruskali potash producer on 27 August, BelTA informs.
“Potassium is the brand of our country. We are lucky that our soil is rich in red gold. The demand for potassium is huge and is increasing every year,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Belaruskali is one of the most reliable players on the global market of fertilizers. It produces and sells over 20% of potash fertilizers. But the main thing (I am not afraid of this word as I am keeping an eye on the production and sales of potash fertilizers) is that it is the most reliable partner in the world. We have never disappointed and will never disappoint our partners.”
The president emphasized that even today when the country is pressurized by various sanctions of the USA and EU countries, when fugitive opposition members ask for these sanctions, Belarus does not let down partners and fulfills all obligations. “We are looking for new sales markets, new opportunities for the delivery of products. Such giants as China, Brazil, India and other countries are interested in Belarusian fertilizers,” the head of state said. “The world is huge. Food security and the availability of fertilizers are the key priorities amid the global coronavirus pandemic.”
In his words, for Belarusian people it is hard to believe that famine is possible in the 21st century. However, it is possible, Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The demand for food is very high today. About 1 billion people do not have enough food. Food and soil and the pillars of everything. Soil needs fertilizers. Therefore, the demand for fertilizers and general and potash fertilizers in particular is on the rise and will be on the rise. We are ready to help and are building these giant enterprises,” the Belarusian leader is convinced.
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.
