Belgium pushing to dilute EU sanctions against Belarus potash industry – Bloomberg
<p> MINSK, Oct 20 - PrimePress. Belgium is trying to water down the European Union’s sanctions on Belarus’ potash industry, in a bid to ease difficulties companies within the bloc face in implementing the measuresm Bloomberg reports with reference to diplomatic sources in Belgium. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, on 24 June 2021, the EU Council imposed sanctions targeting seven sectors of the Belarusian economy, including restrictions on the import and transit of potash from Belarus under contracts signed after 25 June 2021. The restrictions apply only to potash with a nutrient content (potash K2O) of less than 40% and over 62% (technical potash - used in metallurgical, chemical and petrochemical industries). Potassium fertilizers with a nutrient content of 40% to 62%, the most popular potassium fertilizers in the world, are not yet subject to import ban. </p> <p> </p> <p> According to Bloomberg, Diplomats in Brussels have written letter to other EU member states, requesting a loosening of restrictions on Belarusian potash to allow for changes to the potassium content of fertilizer imports. Belgium is proposing the EU allows for a deviation of as much as 2% from currently permitted levels of potassium. </p> <p> </p> <p> “In the letter, the diplomats argue that sanctions imposed on Belarus potash producer Belaruskali OAO earlier this year have caused an “implementation problem” for EU companies and the “potash sector should not be singled out.” The letter notes that if European companies are forced to source potash supply from elsewhere, it would lead to price spikes and lower-quality potash. </p> <p> </p> <p> “According to the letter, a large Belgian company that supplies water to cities is facing customs issues because the grade of potash it was importing was at times higher than is allowed by the EU under the sanctions. Other firms are also facing similar problems, the document shows, and could lose out if Belarus seeks buyers elsewhere.” </p> <p> </p> <p> “A separate document seen by Bloomberg News shows that more than one EU member state is backing the request to amend potassium levels in Belarus potash.” </p> <p> </p> <p> Belaruskali is one of the world’s largest producers of potash mineral fertilizers, and is 100% state-owned. The company operates on the basis of the Starobin potassium salt deposit and includes four mines, auxiliary shops and service divisions. The company’s share in global exports of potash fertilizers exceeds 16%. The products are supplied to more than 130 countries. Exports are handled through Belarusian Potash Company (BPC). Belarusian Potash Company (BPC, which exercises the exclusive right to foreign trade in potash fertilizers) exported 7.14 million tons of potash fertilizers in 2020 (in terms of 100% potassium chloride) worth $2.721 billion, including $196 million worth exported to the EU. BPC facilitates export deliveries via the port of Klaipeda (Lithuania) with the possibility of transshipment of 10-11 million tons per year. End </p>
2021-10-21
Primepress
Belgium pushing to dilute EU sanctions against Belarus potash industry – Bloomberg
MINSK, Oct 20 - PrimePress. Belgium is trying to water down the European Union’s sanctions on Belarus’ potash industry, in a bid to ease difficulties companies within the bloc face in implementing the measuresm Bloomberg reports with reference to diplomatic sources in Belgium.
As previously reported, on 24 June 2021, the EU Council imposed sanctions targeting seven sectors of the Belarusian economy, including restrictions on the import and transit of potash from Belarus under contracts signed after 25 June 2021. The restrictions apply only to potash with a nutrient content (potash K2O) of less than 40% and over 62% (technical potash - used in metallurgical, chemical and petrochemical industries). Potassium fertilizers with a nutrient content of 40% to 62%, the most popular potassium fertilizers in the world, are not yet subject to import ban.
According to Bloomberg, Diplomats in Brussels have written letter to other EU member states, requesting a loosening of restrictions on Belarusian potash to allow for changes to the potassium content of fertilizer imports. Belgium is proposing the EU allows for a deviation of as much as 2% from currently permitted levels of potassium.
“In the letter, the diplomats argue that sanctions imposed on Belarus potash producer Belaruskali OAO earlier this year have caused an “implementation problem” for EU companies and the “potash sector should not be singled out.” The letter notes that if European companies are forced to source potash supply from elsewhere, it would lead to price spikes and lower-quality potash.
“According to the letter, a large Belgian company that supplies water to cities is facing customs issues because the grade of potash it was importing was at times higher than is allowed by the EU under the sanctions. Other firms are also facing similar problems, the document shows, and could lose out if Belarus seeks buyers elsewhere.”
“A separate document seen by Bloomberg News shows that more than one EU member state is backing the request to amend potassium levels in Belarus potash.”
Belaruskali is one of the world’s largest producers of potash mineral fertilizers, and is 100% state-owned. The company operates on the basis of the Starobin potassium salt deposit and includes four mines, auxiliary shops and service divisions. The company’s share in global exports of potash fertilizers exceeds 16%. The products are supplied to more than 130 countries. Exports are handled through Belarusian Potash Company (BPC). Belarusian Potash Company (BPC, which exercises the exclusive right to foreign trade in potash fertilizers) exported 7.14 million tons of potash fertilizers in 2020 (in terms of 100% potassium chloride) worth $2.721 billion, including $196 million worth exported to the EU. BPC facilitates export deliveries via the port of Klaipeda (Lithuania) with the possibility of transshipment of 10-11 million tons per year. End