January 6, 2011

Belarus cuts 2011 grain crop target by 1% over the year

The Belarusian government has set the 2011 production targets for the agricultural sector down to 9.9 million tonnes by its resolution #1912 of December 30, 2010.

The grain harvest target has been cut 1% from last year's level to 9.9 million tonnes.

Rapeseed output is projected at 878,000 tonnes, down 12%, vegetable production at 2.16 million tonnes, down 0.5%, and grass fodder at 6.59 million fodder units, up 3.7%.

In 2010, 1.913 million tonnes of fertilisers are to be applied, including 766,600 tonnes of nitrogen fertilisers, 316,500 tonnes of phosphate fertilisers and 848,300 tonnes of potash fertilisers.

Financing of fertiliser acquisition is projected at BYR2.845 trillion (US$947.39 million), including BYR729.2 billion (US$263.80 million) worth of foreign loans.

The government also obliged relevant authorities to provide 742,800 tonnes of diesel fuel and 98,400 tonnes of gasoline for the spring sowing campaign.