OREANDA-NEWS. January 17, 2013. Uralkali (LSE: URKA), one of the world’s largest potash producers, announced its production results for the full year 2012. During the reporting period, Uralkali produced 9.12 million tonnes of potassium chloride (KCI), representing a 16% year-on-year decrease.

Vladislav Baumgertner, Uralkali CEO, commented:

"Despite lower capacity utilisation at the beginning and at the end of 2012, the average utilisation rate last year reached 80%, which enabled us to satisfy in full the demand from our customers and carry out all planned maintenance and modernisation projects at our facilities. Thus, we completed the Berezniki-4 expansion, increasing the total annual capacity from 11.5 million tonnes to 13.0 million tonnes by the end of 2012. We intend to continue our strategic development programme in 2013 to ensure that we remain one of the most efficient potash producers and are fully prepared for the new upward market trend."

Uralkali is one of the world’s largest potash producers with a market share of about 20%. The Company’s assets consist of 5 mines and 7 ore-treatment mills situated in the towns of Berezniki and Solikamsk (Perm Territory, Russia). Uralkali employs ca. 12,500 people (in the main production unit). Uralkali’s shares and GDRs are traded on the RTS-MICEX and LSE, respectively.