OREANDA-NEWS. March 4, 2010. Belarus may double the export duty on potash fertilizers to 100 euros per tonne, a source in the government told.

“The proposal was initiated because of the livelier potash market and growing export prices. Besides, the government is looking for additional sources to replenish the state budget,” the official said.

Belaruskali believes the initiative must wait until the market is stable and positive price trends persist. In January 2010, sales prices averaged USD 300 per tonne.

The export duty now stands at 50 euros per tonne.

State-owned potash producer Belaruskali earlier requested the government to halve the export duty on potash fertilizers.

In 2009, the producer transferred first 267.5 billion rubles, then 407.1 billion rubles, and finally 700 billion rubles to the national development fund.

Belaruskali’s potash exports fell to 2.948 million tonnes in 2009, down from 6.48 million tonnes in 2008.

Belaruskali is one of the largest potash makers in the world, employing about 20,000 personnel. The company plans to increase its output to 9.65 million tonnes annually by 2015. Belaruskali accounts for 15.3% of the world potash production.