OREANDA-NEWS. Uralkali (LSE: URKA, "the Company"), one of the world’s largest potash producers, has published its audited financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2012 prepared in accordance with IFRS and audited by ZAO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit:

FY2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS1

Net Revenue down 6% y-o-y to USD 3.34 billion

Adjusted EBITDA2 down 5% y-o-y to USD 2.375 billion

Adjusted EBITDA margin3 reached 71%

Net Profit up 5% y-o-y to USD 1.597 billion

FY2012 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS1

Production down 16% y-o-y to 9.1 million tonnes of potassium chloride (KCl)

Sales volumes down 12% y-o-y to 9.4 million tonnes of KCl

Average FCA export price up 5% y-o-y to USD 370 per tonne of KCl

Strategic capacity expansion on track, with Berezniki-4 project nearing completion and Ust-Yayvinsky mine development commenced

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS1

Implementation of the buyback programme lasting from 6 October 2011 to 6 October 2012 with cancellation of c.5% of share capital and launch of a new buyback programme valid until 13 November 2013, with USD 62.3 million of the purchase amount as of 5 April 2013

Forecasted synergy achieved reaching over USD 300 million

Dividend payout ratio for 2011 and H1 2012 over 50% of net IFRS profit

Assignment of consistent debut investment-grade credit ratings by Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s with a "stable" outlook

Increase in the number of independent directors on the Board from three to four out of nine with three independent directors joining all Board committees

Completion of reorganisation aimed at optimisation and streamlining of the Company’s legal and management structure

Debut Sustainability Report issued covering 2011

1 Year-on-year comparison is presented on pro-forma basis including Silvinit results starting from 1 January 2011. The audited financial statements may be found on Uralkali's website http://www.uralkali.com/investors/reporting_and_disclosure/uk_msfo/

2 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Operating profit plus depreciation and amortisation and does not include mine flooding cost plus one off expenses, without adjustment on income from reverse of reserve in amount of 54.7 mln USD

3 Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by Net Revenue

Vladislav Baumgertner, Uralkali CEO, commented:

"We are pleased to report solid results for 2012 which were achieved despite macroeconomic volatility and unfavourable weather in many regions of the world which provided a challenging environment impacting demand for fertilisers. However, Uralkali was able to efficiently manage its output and sales in order to maintain its position in major markets. Moreover, in spite of a reduction in volumes, our focus on efficiencies combined with the unification and optimisation of our Berezniki and Solikamsk enterprises and associated synergy delivery helped us to sustain the low cost level per tonne of our operations, and actually deliver an increase in our EBITDA margin.

We continue to focus on a balanced approach to investing in growth with important milestones met during 2012 in the implementation of our long-term strategic expansion programme and return of excess liquidity to our shareholders which we believe will drive value for our shareholders and ensure that we remain one of the most efficient potash producers fully prepared for a renewed upward market trend.

2012 also saw further progress in our continued work to enhance our corporate governance standards, reflected in an increase in the number of independent directors on our Board from three to four out of nine, aligned to the proportion of our free float. By the end of 2012, three independent directors had joined all Board committees and play an active role in the stewardship of our Company."