OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus' compound fertilizer imports grew 7.4 times year on year in January 2014 to USD 2.927 million, while in physical terms compound fertilizer imports grew 10.6 times to 7,454 tonnes, a source in the profile ministry told.

Russia has been the only supplier of compound fertilizers to Belarus in 2014 and 2013.

The price of imported compound fertilizers in 2013 stood at USD 562 per tonne, 2014 - USD 393 per tonne.

As previously reported, Belarus' state-owned OAO Belaruskali, one of the world's largest manufacturers of potash fertilizers, saw its NPK-fertilizer facility reach full capacity in January 2014.

In January OAO Belaruskali manufactured 10,000 tonnes of granulated compound nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizers (NPK). The maximum daily output was registered on January 30, 2014 - 737 tonnes.

Belaruskali launched NPK production in April 2013.

Belaruskali invested USD 45 million in its NPK fertilizer facility with the output capacity of 240,000 tonnes. The new facility will use a new technology that combines three components (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) in one pellet as well as necessary microelements to suit individual agricultural crop.

The new facility will enable the company to manufacture another 6 varieties of compound fertilizers (now they produce two varieties).

All in all, Belaruskali plans to manufacture around 45 varieties of compound fertilizers.

The state-owned Belarusian company OAO Belaruskali is one of the world's largest manufacturers of potash fertilizers. It operates the Starobinskoye potash salts deposit and comprises four mine groups, auxiliary shops and support units.

Belaruskali controls 16% of the world's potash fertilizer market. Belaruskali supplies potash fertilizers to more than 50 countries, with OAO Belarus Potash Company acting as a sole export agent.