Belarus will increase peat exports by 70% in 2009

August 27, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. In the first half of this year, peat-producing enterprises of Belarus exported 225 thousand tons of fuel peat briquettes, while for the whole of last year, 348.9 thousand tons of fuel briquettes were supplied. This was announced today by Energy Minister Alexander Ozerets at a meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, where the progress of the State Program "Peat" for 2008-2010 and for the period up to 2020 was discussed, according to a BELTA correspondent. The main buyers of Belarusian peat are Poland, Lithuania and Germany. The cost of 1 ton of peat, for example in Poland, is $62, which makes this product profitable. This year, it is planned to export 470 thousand tons of peat, which is 70% more than in 2008. Enterprises hope to earn at least Br100 billion from exports. Peat-producing enterprises of the Vitebsk region are also negotiating the possibility of selling high-moor, lump and baled peat abroad. Swedish and Turkish companies have shown interest in this type of product. The technical re-equipment of enterprises and the construction of modern pellet production plants will contribute to the increase in export potential. It is expected that this will allow exporting 80% of the peat mined in the region. -0-