OREANDA-NEWS. On 02 September 2009 was announced, that Belarus’ state-run potash producer Belaruskali plans to increase exports 3 to 4 times in August compared to previous months, a source close to the administration of the country told.

The maker will export 410,000 tonnes of potash in August, a new monthly record. “Previously, we exported 33,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes a month,” the source said.

The increase is expected owing to the contract between ZAO Belarusian Potash Company and India’s largest buyer Indian Potash Ltd.

Exports in September and October are expected a bit lower than in August, however, the Belarusian producer expects to sign a contract with China as early as in September.

Belarusian Potash Company, the official exporter of nutrients produced by Belaruskali and Russian Uralkali, in September will continue negotiating supplies to China in 2009.

Previous negotiations did not bear fruit because of large potash inventories at Chinese consumers.

“They [Indian prices] have already affected the Brazilian prices. Belarusian Potash Company supplies potash to Brazil at U.S. USD 525 per tonne,” he said.

Belarus started negotiating 2009 potash supplies to China in late 2008. Belarusian Potash Company had planned to increase its prices for China at least by USD 200 per tonne before the crises.

Belarusian Potash Company in late July agreed to supply around 675,000 tonnes of potash to India’s largest buyer Indian Potash Ltd. at a new benchmark price of USD 460 per tonne.

Potash will be supplied in the period July 2009 through March 2010.