OREANDA-NEWS. September 13, 2010. Belarusian JSC Belaruskali has suspended talks with Lithuanian Arvi ir ko over the creation of a joint venture to produce NPK compounds, a source in a concerned ministry told.

“The talks have stalled because of the changing situation on the potash market. The Belarusian side needs to study the recent developments to make up its mind whether the project is feasible,” he said.

He said the potash market was recovering from the crisis too slowly. “The situation on the market leaves much to be desired.”

A protocol of intent had been signed with the Lithuanian company.

The choice of the Baltic partner was caused by the experience and solutions obtained by the Lithuanian company.

The construction was expected to start this year, and the new production was to be launched in late 2011. The initial capacity of the new company was projected at 240,000 tonnes.

The agreement on joint production of NPK compounds was reached during Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky’s visit to Lithuania in late April 2010.

The key Russian makers of NPK compounds are Phosagro, Akron, Eurochem and Uralchem.

In 2008, Russian NPK exports to China reached about 1 million tonnes, and in 2009, 1.4 million tonnes.