OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2009. Belarus’ state-run potash producer Belaruskali has reported August exports 2.6 times above an average month in the first half of the year, a source close to the administration of the country told.

The maker exported 394,000 tonnes of potash in August, a new monthly record. “Previously, we exported about 150,000 tonnes, or 923,000 tonnes in the first six months,” the source said.

“We had originally planned to supply 380,000-390,000 tonnes of potash,” he said.

Sales in September and October are expected a bit lower than in August, however, the Belarusian producer expects to sign a contract with Brazil soon enough to keep production stable.

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.

“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.