OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2009. Belarus’ OAO Belsolod, the country’s only producer of malt, reported a 3.3% decrease in output in January-August 2009 over the same period of 2008 to 74,364 tonnes, a source in the company told.

Malt production fell because of the routine maintenance at the plant.

Belsolod shipped 30.252 tonnes of malt to the domestic market in January-August, up 15.1%, while exports fell 78.2% to 7,393 tonnes. In monetary terms, exports dropped 84.8% to U.S. USD 3.284 million.

Belsolod has so far procured 72,576 tonnes of this year’s barley, 89.1% of the state-guaranteed order, including 4.2% of first grade barley and 95.8% of second grade barley.

Belsolod was established in 1989 and transformed into a joint stock company in 1996.