OREANDA-NEWS. January 27, 2010. State-owned potash producer Belaruskali has requested the government to halve the export duty on potash fertilizers, a source in the administration of the country told.

The request is due to the difficult financial situation on the border, caused by a deterioration in terms of trade, and transfer of 700 billion Belarusian rubles (Br) to the national development fund in late 2009.

Since September 1, 2009, Belaruskali has been paying 50 euros per tonne of exported fertilizers.

In 2009, the producer transferred first 267.5 billion rubles, then 407.1 billion rubles, and finally 700 billion rubles to the national development fund.

Belaruskali’s potash exports fell to 2.948 million tonnes in 2009, down from 6.48 million tonnes in 2008.

Belaruskali is one of the largest potash makers in the world, employing about 20,000 personnel. The company plans to increase its output to 9.65 million tonnes annually by 2015. Belaruskali accounts for 15.3% of the world potash production.