OREANDA-NEWS. Belarusian distillery Belalco, based in Brest, increased exports 51.8% year on year in January-May 2013 to 2.065 million decaliters, a source in the administration of the company told.

Vodka and hard drink exports expanded 88% to 90,800 dal, starch - 150,000 tonnes, up 57%, pure alcohol - 40,000 dal, down 41.6%.

The company exports its products to New Zealand, Ukraine, Vietnam, the Baltic States, Germany, Kazakhstan, Poland, Bulgaria, Turkmenistan, Moldova, China, Azerbaijan.

Vodka output increased 26.7% on the year to 924,000 decaliters; brandy - down 25% to 9,100 dal; rectified alcohol - up 3.2% to 549,000 dal.

Vodka and liquor inventories stood at 234,000 dal as of June 1, 2013, up 4 times in comparison with the level of June 1, 2012; brandy - 7,200 dal (up 10.8%).

Belalco admits its inventories have been on the rise at 141% of the average monthly output as of June 1, 2013.

At the same time, Belalco’s inventories are expected to reduce as the distillery will halt production for schedule repairs on July 1, 2013.

The Brest-based distillery (currently Belalco) was established in 1897. It is capable of making about 1.5 million decaliters of hard drinks a year.