Potash Fertilizer Export Revenue Fell By Almost Quarter

Export of Belarusian potash fertilizers decreased by 23% in money terms in 2016, compared to 2015.

As evidenced by the preliminary results of the statistics on foreign trade, in physical terms, exports of potash last year amounted to 5.7 million tons (expressed in terms of 100% of the active ingredient). This is 3% more than in 2015, BelaPAN writes.

Disproportionate dynamics of potash fertilizer exports in physical and monetary terms is associated with the decrease in the average export price of potash – in 2016 it decreased by about a quarter, compared to 2015.

Brazil, India and China were among the main consumers of Belarusian potash fertilizers in the past year. About half of potash, which Belarus exported in 2016, was delivered to the markets of these countries.

Belaruskali administration calls several reasons, which have led to noticable reduction in exports of Belarusian potash fertilizers in terms of money.

"The crisis in the global potash market, low purchasing power of our key customers, late signing of several major contracts have led to a decrease in the price of potash in foreign markets," – Belaruskali General Director Ivan Halavaty said, summing up the results of 2016 to the industry newspaper Kaliishchyk Salihorska.

The JSC Belaruskali is one of the world's largest potash fertilizer producers. More than 90% of its product is exported (to more than 90 countries). According to the International Fertilizer Association, one seventh of the world's potash production accrues to the Belarusian enterprise.