OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2010.Prospects of Belarusian sugar sales abroad should be examined in detail, taking into account plans to raise the domestic sugar output. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko gave the instruction during his working trip to Minsk Oblast on 23 September.

“The question is whether we should make more sugar. It is necessary to think whether the market will buy it instead of thinking about whether we have the land and can grow sugar beet. What if the market doesn’t buy it?” wondered the head of state. In particular, the need to build a new sugar refinery in Belarus was discussed. There are four sugar refineries in Belarus at the moment. Vice Premier Ivan Bambiza told the head of state that if okayed, the sugar refinery will be built near the town of Bobruisk, Minsk Oblast. The government believes that having another sugar refinery will greatly reduce the time required for processing sugar beet harvest, improving the turnout of end products.

However, the President was informed that Belarus could greatly increase sugar production without building yet another costly sugar refinery. Larger sugar output can be achieved through higher sugar content and higher crop yield. There are plans to raise sugar beet yield from 460 to 520 centners per hectare by 2015. Intensive technologies are expected to raise the average sugar content from 16% to 18%. “The existing sugar refineries should be tuned. If it is possible, their capacity should be increased. It is necessary to decide whether a new refinery is required at the end of this chain,” said the President. Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus is not the only sugar producer in the world and is far from being the world’s largest producer. The favorable sugar market situation may change in the future.

The Belarusian head of state made it clear that if the idea to build a new sugar refinery is approved, the enterprise should be built within 2.5 years at most. Simultaneously markets should be monitored and a feedstock area should be created. Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Mikhail Rusyi told the President that 56,000 hectares of lands suitable for growing sugar beet have been determined in the Mogilev and Gomel oblasts. Speaking about distribution areas, Alexander Lukashenko said that in order to ensure guaranteed sales of Belarusian sugar abroad, it might be wise to think about inviting foreign investors. However, it should be done purely on a mutually beneficial basis. “Sit down and think,” the President told the officials, who were present, concluding the discussion about the advisability of building a new sugar refinery.

Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich also informed the Belarusian head of state about the efforts Belarusian scientists put into breeding Belarusian sugar beet hybrids. At present foreign breeds make up the bulk of Belarusian sugar beet crops. There are plans to satisfy half of the domestic demand for sugar beet seeds with Belarus-made seeds. Work is underway to create Belarusian sugar beet hybrids that will allow partially reducing the import of sugar beet seeds.

In 2010 Belarusian agricultural companies are supposed to grow 4 million tonnes of sugar beet. After the optimization of feedstock areas there are 413 agricultural companies in 48 districts that cultivate sugar beet. This year areas under sugar beet totaled 96,700 hectares. The crops are in good condition and the targeted gross yield will be achieved.