President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko believes that Belarus Potash Company (BPC) might be a leader in sales of potash, taking up to 45% of the global market. This was stated by him at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian company Uralkali on April 18. "There is good reason to have a conversation," noted the Belarusian leader at the start of the event.
Basically, the parties discussed BPC development strategy, said the president’s administration.
«I would like to thank you and the Russian leadership, for it would hardly be possible in Russia to joint efforts of the companies, producing and extracting potash today. This union, of course, is the revolution in the world’s potash market, because if our plan is implemented — I think you agree with me — our company will control about half of the potash market. This is very good,» said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to him, the union of Russian enterprises Silvinit and Uralkali and direction of sales of potash fertilizers through the Belarusian Potash Company helped to increase the capitalization of these organizations and Belaruskali. «Secondly, what must be confessed, it will positively affect prices of potash fertilizers in favor of the manufacturer of this product. Therefore, this consolidation is our common benefit. And this is an occasion for a pleasant conversation,» the president said.
Price Increase is Good News, Lukashenko
He noted that production of potash fertilizer has recently increased, and so have the prices. «This is a positive trend, and it cannot but rejoice. Especially here, in Belarus, because we really need currency today,» said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President said that he was going to raise the issue of organizing production and sale of complex fertilizers (NPK), since this is a promising area for Belarus, which is now actively developing.
NPK takes about 34% of the total world market for sales of potassium fertilizers; 50% is owned by Russian Uralkali and 50% — by Belarusian enterprises.
Belarus is planned to annually produce 11 million tons of potash fertilizer in 2015 (now — about nine million tons per year), which will boost exports. Also a chemical plant and a plant for manufacturing complex fertilizers are planned for construction in Salihorsk.
