Contracts have been signed to sell the entire amount of available sugar. The sugar will be shipped to customers, Chairman of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospischeprom Ivan Danchenko told media on 24 July. 

“I have no doubts that the entire amount of sugar will be sold,” said the Belgospischeprom Chairman. 

Asked why sugar stock is growing in Belarus, Ivan Danchenko said this is resources, which are required to satisfy the domestic demand and ensure stable sales abroad. “It should be noted that we spent one hundred days to make beetroot sugar but we sell it through the year,” he added. Besides, in winter when beetroot sugar processing is complete, receives 0.1-0.2 million tonnes of raw sugar required for steady operation of companies. As a rule, sugar refineries are flagship enterprises. 

Ivan Danchenko said that this year 150,000 tonnes of sugar will be shipped to Russia . “We have developed normal partnership relations with Russian sugar manufacturers. We work within the framework of the agreement between the Russian Union of Sugar Producers and Belgospischeprom”. All the four Belarusian sugar refineries are now part of the Russian Union of Sugar Producers. A sugar company has been set up in Belarus. It is a resident of the the . It is founded by four Belarus-owned sugar refineries. Russian and Belarusian sugar producers share information and arrange hands-on personnel training programmes. 

Once the domestic demand is satisfied, excessive sugar is sold to and other CIS and non-CIS states. At present Belarusian sugar is sold in 13 countries. The search for new markets was stepped up after reduced Belarusian beetroot sugar purchases in 2005-2006. There are plans to sell 0.23-0.25 million tonnes of sugar to third countries this year. The figure has been agreed with the Russian Union of Sugar Producers and customers in purchasing countries. 

Ivan Danchenko remarked that Belgospischeprom companies have no serious problems with selling other products. In January-May 2009 the export of sugar increased by 34%, salt — 19%, dairy products (baby food) — 10%, starch — 18%. Confectionery sales have increased. is still the key trade partner of Belgospischeprom companies. Sales in the CIS states, the European Union, Middle East, are on the rise.

www.belta.by