Ukrainian Chemists Union asks authorities to limit import of Belarus’ NPK fertilizers
MINSK, Jul 15 - PrimePress. The Ukrainian Chemists Union has filed an anti-discrimination application with the Ministry of Economy against the import of Belarusian NPK fertilizers, says Union Vice President Igor Golchenko.<br> <br> He says sanctions against Belarus have already produced a major impact on the Ukrainian market, as Grodno Azot and Belneftekhim were put on the U.S. sanctions list. U.S. companies and companies with U.S. funding refuse to work with them, and dollar payments with European companies are also blocked.<br> <br> “The EU market for Belarusians is also narrowing. Everything is occupied by Russian producers in the EEU, and we should not expect big changes there. Therefore, Ukraine is the most convenient and accessible market for Belarusian goods. Everything that Belarusian companies can’t sell to Western markets already goes to Ukraine. We have been seeing an increase in fertilizer imports from Belarus since May. In May and June, Belarusian producers doubled supplies of the carbomide-ammonium mixture and NPK fertilizers compared with, and the price of these fertilizers was much lower than in Europe,” Golchenko told Hubs.<br> <br> He says two Ukrainian producers are being pushed out of the domestic market, actually. Over the past five years, Ukraine has been only supplied with premium (highest price) potassium chloride produced in Belarus. its price for Ukraine is 15-20% higher than for other countries. Potassium chloride remains the raw material for production of complex NPK-fertilizers produced in Ukraine by Sumykhimprom and DZMU. <br> <br> Therefore, the Union is asking for restrictions on the import of Belarusian NPK fertilizers on the grounds that Belarus discriminates local producers.<br> <br> According to him, restrictions on the import of Belarusian complex fertilizers will partially return the Ukrainian market of complex fertilizers to Ukrainian producers. "The effect will be easily measurable: according to our calculations, Sumykhimprom and DZMU will be loaded to 80% of capacity," he said.<br> <br> Belarusian petrochemical products are supplied to Ukraine by Kiev-based BNH-Ukraine LLC (enterprise of the Belneftekhim commodity distribution network). BNH-Ukraine CEO Oleg Velichko said that the company planned to increase supplies of Belarusian petrochemicals to Ukraine in 2021 by 19% year on year to 500,000 tonnes. <br> <br> Belneftekhim’s exports to Ukraine accounts for 30% of the concern’s total exports, which include oil products, fertilizers, tires, polyethylene, chemical yarns and fibers, non-woven materials, cord fabrics, glass fiber and glassware, varnish and paint solutions, alkyd resins, and polyamides.<br> <br> The Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim Concern) unites more than 60 chemical and petrochemical enterprises engaged in production, refining and transportation of crude oil, and oil products supplies, and units that ensure the functioning of petrochemical facilities and provide scientific backup services. The enterprises produce more than 500 types of commodities, including oil products, chemical fibers and threads, mineral fertilizers, tires, high-pressure polyethylene, fiberglass products, varnishes, paints, polyethylene and polypropylene pipes, etc. Nearly 70% of the products are exported to more than 100 countries. End<br> <br>
2021-07-15
Primepress