OREANDA-NEWS. The state-owned Belarusian company OAO Belaruskali plans to export at least 1 million tonnes of potash fertilizers in March and at least 850 million tonnes in April, Belaruskali CEO Valeri Kiriyenko said in a release posted on the company's official web site.

At the moment, Belaruskali is operating at maximum capacity and plans to focus on raising potash prices, Kiriyenko said.

The situation is favourable for potash export: the customers now realize that the market has stabilized and the price is likely to grow, Kiriyenko said. In his words, customers are willing to buy potash today and not to wait until tomorrow, when the price will be higher, the company director explained.

Belarus' potash exports grew 39.9% year on year in January 2014 to 312,000 tonnes. Potash exports to the CIS states reduced 59.8% to 1,500 tonnes, other foreign states - up 41.6% to 310,500 tonnes.

The average price of Belarusian potash exports reduced 25.8% year on year in January 2014 to USD 456 per tonne.

The state-owned Belarusian company OAO Belaruskali is one of the world's largest manufacturers of potash fertilizers, employing about 18,440 personnel. It operates the Starobinskoye potash salts deposit and comprises four mine groups, auxiliary shops and support units.

Belaruskali controls more than 16% of the world's potash fertilizer market. Belaruskali facilitates potash exports through OAO Belarusian Potash Company.