OREANDA-NEWS. On 29 January 2009 Belarus’ OAO Belsolod, the country’s only producer of malt, reported a 59.7% increase in output in 2008 over 2007 to 83,773 tonnes, worth 112.862 billion Belarusian rubles (Br).

Shipments amounted to 77,000 tonnes, up 77.6%, of them supplies to the domestic market were at 40,500 tonnes, up 19%, and exports reached 36,500 tonnes, up 67%.

In monetary terms, exports totaled U.S. USD 23.316 million, up 87.8% over 2007.

Belsolod expects the first batch of new Buhler AG equipment supplied in February. Belsolod purchased 15.915 million euros’ worth of equipment using a Belagroprombank loan extended against guarantees of the government.

The company plans a 20% fall in output this year because of the planned upgrade.

“We plan to start reducing malt output in June, and suspend production in September and October. The assembly of new equipment will be completed in November,” a representative in the company told.

Belsolod was established in 1989 and transformed into a joint stock company in 1996.