OREANDA-NEWS. On 11 February 2009 was announced, that Belarusian companies accountable to Belgospischeprom concern increased exports 23.1% on the year in 2008 to U.S. USD 317 million, Deputy Chairman Andrei Baranov told a council meeting.

Imports rose 28.3% to USD 345 million, he said.

The key reasons behind the increase in imports were imports of bottled liquors, amounting to USD 2 million, of raw sugar, to the amount of USD 10.2 million, and of critical products that are not produced in Belarus, such as cacao, pectin, wine materials and cognac spirits, and global increase in prices for critical imports by around 50%.

In 2008, Belgospischeprom companies’ output rose 13.8% on the year to 3.192 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), net profit amounted to 250 billion rubles, sales proceeds reached 423.8 billion rubles, and return on sales was at 15.2%.

Seven companies recorded net losses in 2008.

Belgospischeprom’s payables amounted to 623.4 billion rubles, including 114.5 billion rubles of overdue payables, up by 20.9 billion rubles.

Belgospischeprom was established in 2000. It manages 50 food-processing and food-making organizations.