Press Release- Embassy of Belarus : 23 July 2020

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July 21, 2020

Belarus registers 66,348 coronavirus cases, 507 deaths as of Jul 21, 2020

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus registered 66,348 confirmed coronavirus cases as of July 21, 2020; 507 people died, Belarus’ Health Ministry reports on its official Telegram channel.

58,592 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals.

As previously reported, the number of registered coronavirus cases in Belarus reached 66,213 on the previous day; 503 patients died.

The Health Ministry reports around 1.2 million tests for the coronavirus infection as of July 21, 2020. End

Belarus’ 2021 budget bases on 3.5% GDP growth, Br2.4/$1 rate, oil at $40/bl

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. The government of Belarus has drawn up the budget for 2021 based 3.5% year-on-year growth of GDP, the average annual dollar exchange rate at Br2.4/$1, and the price of crude oil at $40 per barrel, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko said at the session of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of Belarus on July 21, the government’s press office reports.

“The main requirement to the budget is that it should be well-balanced, and the servicing of public debt and social spending should be ensured. It is proposed to draft the budget for the next year based on a targeted economic development scenario: GDP at 103.5%, the average annual rate of the Belarusian ruble against the dollar around Br2.4, and the average annual oil price around $40 per barrel,” Golovchenko said.

He said that GDP growth in 2020 is projected at zero.

“The proposed economic growth forecast [in 2021] of 103.5% against this year’s estimate of 100% [zero GDP growth] is quite ambitious. More than a half of this growth–1.9 percentage points–is expected to be ensured by external demand. This task requires a distinct and elaborate export strategy,” Golovchenko said.

The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Economy “to be creative when drafting commodity balances for the next year and add competitive items.”

As previously reported, Belarus’ GDP decreased in January-June 2020 by 1.7% year on year to Br66.3 billion ($27.637 billion at the official rate of the National Bank of Belarus). In 2019, Belarus’ GDP grew by 1.2% year on year to Br131.952 billion ($55 billion), the official growth forecast being 4%. End

Belarus estimates budget losses from Russia’s tax manoeuvre in 2021 at Br350m – Golovchenko

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus estimates budget losses in 2021 from the tax manoeuvre in the Russian oil industry at Br350 million ($145.9 million at the official rate of the National Bank of Belarus), Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko said at the session of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of Belarus on July 21, the government’s press office reports.

“It is already obvious that the next year’s budget is being generated in a difficult environment and with limited resources. Direct losses of budget revenues in 2021 from the so-called “tax manoeuvre” alone are estimated at around Br350 million,” said Golovchenko.

The Russian tax manoeuvre that has been carried out since 2015 provides for the gradual zeroing of the export duty on oil with a simultaneous increase in the tax on extraction. Its final stage falls on 2019-2025. Belarus is losing revenues due to lower export duties and higher costs of Russian oil supplies. The government of Belarus estimated the losses from the tax manoeuvre in 2019-2024 at $11 billion. End

Belarus’ debt to Gazprom at $273m – media

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress Belarus’ debt to Russian gas monopolist Gazprom for the supplied natural gas has grown from $165.6 million as of late May 2020 to $273 million, Interfax news agency said on July 21, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The source does not rule out that “the debt may be paid off in the near future.”

Belarus reduced the import of Russian natural gas in January-May 2020 by 10.4% year on year to 7.948 billion cubic metres, according to official statistics.

In monetary terms, Belarus reduced the import in Jan-May 2020 by 10.2% yoy to $1.035 billion.

As previously reported, Belarus annually imports around 20 billion cubic metres of gas from the Russian Federation. The price for 2020 agreed on in February 2020 stands at $127 per 1,000 cubic metres. The statistically higher price than that indicated in the contract ($130 against $127) is likely due to the increased calorific value of the supplied gas, as Russian Gazprom said. Belarus does not agree that the calorific value of gas has increased, and pays the price that it set unilaterally. According to Gazprom’s estimates, this resulted in the accumulated debt of $165.6 million as of early June 2020. End

Tuesday forex session: ruble up 0.46% against dollar to Br2.3879/$1

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Following the bidding at the single forex session of the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange (BCSE) in the format of a continuous two-way auction, the Belarusian ruble stood at Br2.3879/$1 to the dollar on Jul 21, up 0.46% on the previous day of trading, says the BCSE official report.

Following the bidding at the single forex session on Tuesday, the ruble stood at Br2.7344/€1 to the euro, up 0.46%; at Br3.3674/RUB100 to the Russian ruble, down 0.27%.

As previously reported, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) on June 1, 2015 stopped the practice of fixing the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble to the basket of foreign currencies on a day-to-day basis and switched over to FX trading on the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange (BCSE) in the format of a continuous two-way auction.

The parties taking part in continuous two-way auctions at the BCSE are free to make bids and offers during the entire auction period, however deals will be made if the FX trading system bridges bids with relevant offers.

The weighted average rate of the US dollar, the euro and the Russian ruble shall be the National Bank’s official exchange rate of the relevant currency for the day that follows the day of trading.

At the moment, the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble is pegged to the basket of foreign currencies, with the share of the Russian ruble standing at 50%, the US dollar – 30%, the euro – 20%. End

Belarus’ number of mobile subscribers down 0.09% in 2Q20 to 11.578m – Telecom Ministry

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus’ Telecom Ministry says the total number of mobile subscribers reduced in the second quarter of 2020 by 0.09% year on year to 11.578 million.

The number of subscribers decreased by 0.3% compared with the first quarter of 2020.

According to the Telecom Ministry’s report, 6.889 million Belarusian mobile subscribers used mobile data transmission services in Q2, up 5.4% year on year; 4.494 million mobile subscribers used LTE services (up 31.8%). Belarusian mobile operators (A1, MTS Belarus, life:)) increased their Internet bandwidth by 48.7% to 343.1 Mbps in 2Q20.

Belarusian mobile subscribers generated 8.443 billion minutes of voice traffic in 2Q20 (up 13.9% year on year); the share of home network voice traffic standing at 81.3%. The outgoing international traffic totalled 7.52 million minutes (down 18.3%), incoming international traffic – 11.563 million minutes (down 18.2%); roaming – 4.018 million minutes (down 57.7%).

Mobile telecom services (GSM 2G) covered 98.4% of Belarus’ territory in 2Q20, UMTS (3G) – 98.4%, LTE (4G) – 13.8% (5% in the previous year). Mobile telecom services covered 99.9%, 99.9% and 81.3% of the population, respectively.

Mobile telecom services in Belarus are provided by three operators – A1, MTS Belarus and life:), while infrastructural operator beCloud provides LTE services. End

Belarus reduces Russian crude import by 42.9% in Jan-May 2020 to $689.919m

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus reduced the import of Russian crude oil in January-May 2020 by 42.9% year on year to $689.819 million, the National Statistics Committee of Belarus (Belstat) reports.

The physical volume of imported oil decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 29.6% yoy to 4.084 million tonnes.

Belstat reported the import of 6.007 million tonnes of oil in Jan-May 2020 (down 22.5% year on year) worth $904.833 million (down 40.1%).

Belarus and the Russian Federation agreed in December 2019 on the supply of 24 million tonnes of oil in 2020. However, due to price disagreements in Jan-Mar 2020, Belarus did not enter into long-term contracts with Russian oil companies.

Currently, Belarus is diversifying oil supplies to its two refineries (Mozyr Oil Refinery OJSC, Gomel Oblast, and Naftan OJSC, Novopolotsk, Vitebsk Oblast), continuing bargaining over the price with its main traditional supplier–Russia. Belarus receives Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline and by rail, and oil from alternative suppliers by sea through the ports of Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Odessa (Ukraine). This year, Belarus purchased oil from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Norway, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Belarus reduced the import of Russian oil in 2019 by 3.5% yoy to $6.58 billion; in physical terms – by 1.4% to 17.998 million tonnes. The average price of Russian oil for Belarus stood at $365.64 per tonne in 2019, down 2.2% from 2018. End

Belarus’ oil product export down 31.5% in Jan-May 2020 to 2.447m tonnes

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus reduced the export of oil products in January-May 2020 by 31.5% year on year to 2.447 million tonnes, the National Statistics Committee of Belarus (Belstat) reports.

In value terms, the export decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 38.3% yoy to $859.547 million.

The decrease in revenues was primarily due to the decline in the physical volumes of oil products export, as Belarus had no long-term contracts with traditional Russian oil suppliers in January-March 2020.

As previously reported, Belarus reduced the export of oil products in 2019 by 11.7% year on year to 10.5 million tonnes. In monetary terms, the export of oil products decreased 19.7% to $5.2 billion. The decrease in foreign exchange receipts was primarily due scheduled repairs at the Belarusian oil refineries, lower prices of oil products, and a decrease in the physical volume of exported oil products caused by the accident with the supply of substandard Russian oil to Belarus. End.

Stadler Minsk provides Minsk subway with 10 trains

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Stadler Minsk CJSC (Fanipol, Minsk District) has delivered a batch of 10 trains for the Minsk subway, the company reports.

As previously reported, in January 2017, the Minsk subway management and Stadler Minsk CJSC entered into a contract for the supply of ten trains, six 4-car and four 5-car ones.

Six trains were to be supplied in 2019, and the delivery of the whole batch was to be completed in 2020. The trains are manufactured by Belarusian Stadler Minsk, using the latest solutions in the field of railway engineering.

Part of Swiss Stadler, Stadler Minsk JSC has been operating since 2014, manufacturing railway vehicles. The Stadler Rail Group is a system supplier of rail vehicles. Company’s factories are located in Europe, the US and Africa. Its six divisions employ about 7,000 people. End

EEU to work out procedure for applying navigation seals before Oct 2020

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Council instructed the EEC Board to draft before October 2020 jointly with the governments of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) an international agreement on the application of navigation seals when transporting goods across two or more EEU member states, the EEC press office reports.

EEC Customs Cooperation Minister Oleg Pankratov says the joint board of the EEU customs drew up a draft framework agreement on a unified transit system. The use of navigation seals has been tested.

“Russia proposed to make the agreement more extensive and add a comprehensive approach to customs transit matters. In turn, the EEC proposes first to consider using navigation seals, and not only for customs purposes,” Pankratov said. End

Belarus reduces Russian gas import in Jan-May 2020 by 10.4% to 7.948bn cubic metres

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. Belarus reduced the import of Russian gas in January-May 2020 by 10.4% year on year to 7.948 billion cubic metres, reads the official statistical report.

In monetary terms, Belarus reduced the import of Russian gas in Jan-May 2020 by 10.2% year on year to $1.035 billion.

Belarus’ Trade Ministry extends regulation of prices of protective masks and disinfectants till Oct 4, 2020

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) of Belarus has extended the regulation of prices of protective masks and disinfectants, including gels and sprays, from July 7, 2020 to October 4, 2020 (MART resolution No.47 of July 13, 2020 posted on the National Legal Portal).

The marginal rate of return for determining the amount of profit to be included in the selling prices of the manufacturers of masks and disinfectants remains at 10%; the marginal maximum markup to the selling price of the importer of masks and disinfectants is also 10%.

The maximum trade markup (including the wholesale markup) to the selling price of the manufacturers (importers) is set at 15%.

The resolution came into force upon its official publication and extends its effect to relations that arose since July 7, 2020.

As previously reported, MART decree No.27 of April 6, 2020 introduced state regulation of prices of masks and disinfectants for 90 days from April 7 to July 7, 2020. End

NBB’s currency rates as of Jul 22, 2020

MINSK, Jul 21 – PrimePress. The National Bank of Belarus (NBB) set on Jul 21, 2020 the following exchange rates of the Belarusian ruble (Br) against foreign currencies for Jul 22, 2020.

	Currency		Br
1	AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR	AUD	1.6879
1	BULGARIAN LEV	BGN	1.3972
100	UKRANIAN HRYVNA	UAH	8.6254
10	DANISH KRONE	DKK	3.6707
1	U.S. DOLLAR	USD	2.3879
1	EURO	EUR	2.7344
10	POLISH ZŁOTY	PLN	6.1582
10,0000	IRANIAN RIAL	IRR	5.6855
100	ICELAND KRONA	ISK	1.7078
100	JAPANESE YEN	JPY	2.2266
1	CANADIAN DOLLAR	CAD	1.7705
10	CHINESE YUAN	CNY	3.4156
1	KUWAITI DINAR	KWD	7.7744
10	Moldovan Leu	MDL	1.4059
1	New Zealand Dollar	NZD	1.5751
10	NORWEGIAN KRONE	NOK	2.5992
100	RUSSIAN RUBLE	RUB	3.3674
1	SDR (Special Drawing Rights)	XDR	3.3202
1	SINGAPORE DOLLAR	SGD	1.7185
100	KIRGHIZ SOM	KGS	3.0785
1,000	KAZAKH TENGE	KZT	5.7755
10	TURKISH LIRAS	TRY	3.4818
1	BRITISH POUND STERLING	GBP	3.0301
100	CZECH KORUNA	CZK	10.3211
10	SWEDISH KRONA	SEK	2.6659
1	SWISS FRANK	CHF	2.5460

July 20, 2020

Belarus registers 66,213 coronavirus cases, 503 deaths as of Jul 20, 2020

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. Belarus registered 66,213 confirmed coronavirus cases as of July 20, 2020; 503 people died, Belarus’ Health Ministry reports on its official Telegram channel.

58,290 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals.

As previously reported, the number of registered coronavirus cases in Belarus reached 66,095 on the previous day; 499 patients died.

The Health Ministry reports around 1.2 million tests for the coronavirus infection as of July 20, 2020. End

Lukashenko appoints ambassadors to US, UK

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. On July 20, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appointed Oleg Kravchenko ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Belarus to the United States and Maksim Yermolovich ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Belarus to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Ireland, the presidential press office reports.

Previously, Kravchenko served as charge d’affaires of Belarus in the United States and then deputy minister of foreign affairs of Belarus.

Belarus recalled its Ambassador to the United States Mikhail Khvostov in March 2008 after the US imposed additional sanctions against Belneftekhim, expelled US Ambassador Karen Stewart and demanded that the US embassy in Belarus reduce its staff 35 to five. Since then, the countries communicated at at the level of chargé d’affaires. Belarus’ Foreign Ministry lifted the restrictions on the number of American diplomats in March 2019. US President Donald Trump nominated Julie Fisher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Europe and the EU, as the ambassador to Belarus.

Yermolovich held offices in the Tax Ministry and the Finance Ministry, and then as minister of finance of Belarus until June 2020.

According to the presidential press office, on July 20, Andrei Yevdochenko was appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Belarus to the Netherlands; Andrei Dapkiunas – ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Belarus to Austria and Slovenia, resident representative of Belarus at international organizations in Vienna and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Previously, Yevdochenko served as first deputy minister of foreign affairs of Belarus. Dapkiunas is former deputy minister of foreign affairs.

Pavel Utyupin was appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Belarus to Kazakhstan. Until June 2020, he served as minister of industry of Belarus.

Lukashenko also approved the appointment of Alexander Guryanov as first deputy foreign minister, Sergei Aleinik as deputy foreign minister; Pavel Tkach as first deputy minister of communications and informatization; Sergei Chertkov as CEO of the Mogilev Lift Building Plant JSC (Mogilevliftmash).

Until recently, Guryanov served as ambassador of Belarus to Italy, Aleinik as ambassador to the UK, Tkach as deputy director of the information technology department of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Chertkov as vice CEO of Mogilevliftmash. End

Belarus president appoints new members to NBB Board

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appointed new executives to the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) on July 20, the presidential press office reports.

Ilona Lednitskaya, head of the Banking Regulation Department, was appointed deputy chairperson of the Board. Elena Mashnina, head of the Banking Supervision Department, was reappointed member of the Board. Head of the Department of Operations in Financial Markets Denis Goreglyad and head of the Monetary Policy and Economic Analysis Department Dmitry Murin are new members of the Board of the National Bank.

Introducing the new executives to the NBB leadership, Lukashenko said he wanted to talk about the banking sector and the entire economy, and called the banking system one of the key elements of national economic security.

“You know, I asked to set a steady trend towards easing financial policy and increased lending to the economy. Meanwhile, of course, we will curb inflation. I will have a talk with the government in a few days to see how they are coping with that,” Lukashenko said.

He also urged not to delay the updating of the Banking Code.

“The Banking Code and the national economy should not be separated or progress at will. The Code must meet the present-day challenges and economic developments,” Lukashenko said. End

Lukashenko wants tighter supervision over commercial banks

MINSK, 20 Jul PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko wants the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) to tighten supervision over commercial banks in the context of the Belgazprombank case, the presidential press office reports.

“We see that we have plenty of work to do, as the Belgazprombank case shows. The chairman of the Board [of the National Bank] and the bank’s management are personally responsible for what happens in our commercial banks,” Lukashenko said when appointing new members of the NBB Board on Monday, July 20.

Lukashenko calls the Belgazprombank case a lesson for the new leadership of the National Bank. “Your staff is large, but, regretfully, the supervision has failed without proactive approaches. I believe that you will learn the lesson instantly,” he said.

The criminal case against Belgazprombank, which involves more than 20 persons, including top manager, concurred with the presidential election campaign in Belarus. Former head of the bank Viktor Babariko attempted to stand for election, but the Central Election Commission denied him registration as a candidate on July 14. His lawyers appealed against the denial in the Supreme Court. The presidential election is scheduled for August 9, 2020.

The State Control Committee claims that an organized criminal group was operating at the bank. Allegedly, Babariko illegally transferred money to foreign accounts, and was engaged in gross tax evasion, bribery and money laundering. The case is being investigated by the KGB of Belarus. End

Lukashenko instructs NBB to attract external long-term investments in banks

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko instructed the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) to attract long-term investments to diversify the resource base of Belarusian banks. He spoke about this when appointing new members of the NBB Board on Monday, July 20, the presidential press office reports.

The president wants the NBB to find an opportunity to raise external funds for diversification, and called on the NBB leadership to think how to piece out the shortage of long and cheap money for lending to investment projects with a priority for those with a payback period of 7-10 years, for example, in the mechanical engineering or petrochemical industries.

“The same tasks should be set to all heads of banks, who must bear responsibility for their performance. Each banker must be personally responsible for the money raised and for the terms that must be optimal. This cannot be done sitting in a National Bank office. You should have extensive contacts, not only with Russians, but also in Europe, America, China and other places to raise funds,” Lukashenko said. End

Lukashenko wants banks to restructure debts, help export-oriented companies

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called on banks to restructure debts of enterprises and provide financial support to export-oriented companies engaged in investment projects. He spoke about this when appointing new members of the NBB Board on Monday, July 20, the presidential press office reports.

“Those who have “live” export contracts or who have launched an investment project must be helped. This money is returnable,” Lukashenko said.

He instructed to involve local authorities, which know the situation in their regions better.

“Communicate with directors and workers. We should give them a helping hand. Do not impose redundant conditions, do pose barriers. Meet them halfway by restructuring debts, at least as a temporary respite. You know that all countries, from the US to China, do that,” said the president.

He said that over the past three months, the National Bank has eased many supervisory restrictions and lowered the refinancing rate.

“We should go this way carefully and calmly. If we lose factories, enterprises and the people they employ, banks will be next,” Lukashenko said. End

Belarus’ Development Bank to independently select commercial projects for financing

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. The Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus OJSC has been given a mandate to independently select commercial investment projects for financing in accordance with Council of Ministers resolution No.414 of July 10, 2020. Previously, the bank was mainly working with projects included in state programs or approved by the president or the government, the bank’s press office reports.

“The bank selects commercial investment projects that meet one of the criteria: the amount of capital expenditure of at least Br40 million ($16.7 million at the rate of the National Bank of Belarus) inclusive of VAT, or the dynamic payback period of the project of at least seven years. The financing by the Development Bank is at least 85% of the investment costs inclusive of VAT; the loan term is up to 15 years, but not more than the dynamic payback period of the project,” reads the report.

The bank is ready to offer a number of products both in the national and foreign currencies, not only from its own funds, but also in tied foreign loans with or without insurance coverage by export credit agencies, depending on the periods of foreign credit lines.

The Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus was established in 2011 by presidential decree No.261 of June 21, 2011 to increase the efficiency of projects included in government programs, reduce the time of their implementation and cost recovery. It finances government programs on its own behalf and at its own expense on terms of urgency, payment and repayment. The state holds 96.224% in the bank’s statutory capital. End

Monday forex session: ruble up 0.02% against dollar to Br2.399/$1

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. Following the bidding at the single forex session of the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange (BCSE) in the format of a continuous two-way auction, the Belarusian ruble stood at Br2.399/$1 to the dollar on Jul 20, up 0.02% on the previous day of trading, says the BCSE official report.

Following the bidding at the single forex session on Monday, the ruble stood at Br2.7469/€1 to the euro, down 0.55%; at Br3.3362/RUB100 to the Russian ruble, down 0.27%.

The weighted average rate of the US dollar, the euro and the Russian ruble shall be the National Bank’s official exchange rate of the relevant currency for the day that follows the day of trading.

Belarus’ truck export down 49.7% in Jan-May 2020 to $233.356m

MINSK, Jul 20– PrimePress. Belarus reduced proceeds from the truck export by 49.7% year on year in Jan-May 2020 to $233.356 million, Belstat said in a statistical report.

In real terms, Belarus’ truck exports decreased by 8.4% year on year in Jan-May 2020 to 1,876 vehicles, including exports to Russia – 1,314 vehicles (down 2.9% yr on yr) worth $153.099 million (down 56.4%).

The export of off-road dump trucks reduced in Jan-May2020 by 63.2% yoy to 148 vehicles, by 68.8% in monetary terms to $105.862 million. Russia accounted for 67 dump trucks (down 75.1%) worth $44.054 million (down 82.2%).

The export of tractors and truck tractors increased in Jan-May 2020 by 15.6% year on year to 19,032 vehicles. In monetary terms, the export decreased by 4.7% to $205.702 million. Supplies to Russia totaled 13,427 vehicles (up 44.5% year on year) worth $119.434 million (up 21.1%).

The export of passenger cars increased in Jan-May 2020 by 93.8% year on year to 11,408 vehicles. In monetary terms, the export was down 3.6% to $62.613 million. Supplies to Russia totaled 11,351 vehicles (up 2-fold) worth $59.164 million (up 18.3%).

The export of vehicles with ten or more passenger seats in Jan-May 2020 stood at 490 vehicles (up 35.7% year on year) worth $57.296 million (up 88.1%). Supplies to Russia totaled 438 vehicles (up 92.1%) worth $49.087 million (up 170%). End

Belarus’ export of cheese, cottage cheese up 9% in Jan-May 2020 to 105,900 tonnes

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. Belarus increased the export of cheese and cottage cheese in January-May 2020 by 9% year on year to 105,900 tonnes, says the National Statistics Committee of Belarus (Belstat).

The export of cheese and cottage cheese increased in Jan-May 2020 in monetary terms by 10.9% to $427.688 million. Russia accounted for 99,700 tonnes (up 6.5% yoy) worth $401,768 million (up 8.5%).

The export of condensed and dried milk and cream decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 6.9% to 71,400 tonnes; in monetary terms – down 0.4% to $164.573 million. Supplies to Russia decreased 9.6% to 47,500 tonnes worth $106.182 million (down 9.6%).

The export of butter decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 7.4% to 31,900 tonnes in physical terms and by 14.5% to $155.589 million in monetary terms. Russia accounted for 29,400 tonnes (down 8.8%) worth $143.32 million (down 16.3%).

The export of non-condensed milk and cream increased in Jan-May 2020 by 5% yoy to 103,600 tonnes. In monetary terms, the export increased 15.1% to $79.915 million. Russia was supplied with 98,200 tonnes (up 3.9%) worth $76.662 million (up 14.3%).

The export of buttermilk, yogurt and kefir grew by 4.5% yoy in Jan-May 2020 to 55,700 tonnes. In monetary terms, the export increased 5.3% to $78.285 million. Russia received 53,300 tonnes (up 2.2%) worth $74.758 million (up 2.6%). End

Belarus’ export of fresh and chilled beef up 6.1% in Jan-May 2020 to $123.499m

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. Belarus increased the export of fresh and chilled beef in January-May 2020 by 6.1% year on year to $123.499 million, says the National Statistics Committee of Belarus (Belstat).

In physical terms, the export increased in Jan-May 2020 by 6.1% to 35, 000 tonnes. Supplies to Russia amounted to 20,300 tonnes (down 30.1% yoy) worth $76.471 million (down 27.6%).

The export of meat and edible offal of poultry in Jan-May 2020 totaled 80,600 tonnes (up 18.8%) worth $125.044 million (up 18.8%). Russia accounted for 55,500 tonnes (up 0.4%) worth $77.291 million (up 3.7%).

The export of frozen beef in Jan-May 2020 amounted to 25,100 tonnes (up 39.2% yoy) worth $88.599 million (up 43.6%). Supplies to Russia totaled 16,900 tonnes (up 15.9%) worth $60.966 million (up 18.4%).

Exports of sausages and similar meat products in physical terms decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 0.6% to 12,000 tonnes; in monetary terms – down 5.7% to $34.009 million. Russia received 9,933 tonnes (down 4.1%) worth $27.46 million (down 9.4%). End

Belarus’ sugar export up 53.9% in Jan-May 2020 to 203,500 tonnes

MINSK, Jul 20 – PrimePress. Belarus increased the sugar export in January-May 2020 by 53.9% year on year to 203,500 tonnes, the National Statistics Committee of Belarus (Belstat) reports.

In monetary terms, the export decreased in Jan-May 2020 by 1% to $59.687 million.

Belarus supplied 178,100 tonnes of sugar to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (up 34.8% yoy) worth $51.922 million (down 13.8%). Russia accounted for 96,700 tonnes (down 7.6%) worth $28.146 million (down 41.1%), Kazakhstan – 50,251 tonnes (up 230%) worth $14.531 million (up 115%).

Belarus exported sugar in Jan-May 2020 at an average price of $293.32 per tonne, down 35.7% yoy. The price for the CIS averaged $291.52 per tonne (down 36.1%), countries outside the CIS – $306 per tonne (down 50.5%).

According to Belgospischeprom state food concern, Belarus supplied sugar in January-May 2020 to 28 countries (nine in 2019). Belarusian sugar factories plan to gain a foothold in the markets of Africa and Asia, Belgospischeprom says. End

For additional information or enquiries, please, contact Mr. Vladimir Kremyanko, First Secretary (v.kremyanko@mfa.gov.by, tel. 011 405 29 334)