Lepel Dairy and Canning Plant will triple its supplies to Venezuela in 2010

March 9, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. OJSC "Lepel Dairy and Canned Goods Plant" will triple its product supplies to Venezuela in 2010 compared to last year, the enterprise director Alexander Mikhailovsky told a BELTA correspondent. Over the year, the Lepel enterprise plans to ship 4.5 thousand tons of dry milk to Venezuela for Br47.5 billion. Last year, 1.5 thousand tons of this product were exported to this country. Expanding its presence in the Venezuelan market will allow the plant to significantly reduce its export dependence on the Russian Federation, the head noted. Thus, in the total export volume, the share of the Russian Federation as of the end of last year was 52.2%. By the end of this year, it is expected to be at the level of 25-30%. In 2009, exports accounted for 60% of the total sales volume. In addition to Russia and Venezuela, supplies were made to Kazakhstan, France, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Poland. In January, the enterprise produced products worth Br10.2 billion, which amounted to 115.7% compared to January 2009. Sales profitability is 5.3%. The energy saving indicator was minus 14.9% with a target of minus 13.5%. Labor productivity is 106.7%. Investments in fixed assets in 2009 reached Br24.8 billion. Among the largest implemented projects are the launch of a new compressor shop with a capacity of 3.1 thousand kW and the commissioning of the first construction phase of a new dairy farm for 930 heads of cattle in SPC "Zaozerye". This year, it is planned to allocate over Br5 billion for the development of the enterprise. The enterprise was founded in 1951. It was reformed into an OJSC in 1998. The plant includes the agricultural production branch "Zaozerye", the Tolochin butter and cheese factory, and the Dokshitsy and Beshenkovichi dairy plants. It specializes in the production of whole milk products, skimmed milk powder, cheese, and ice cream. The range of products manufactured includes more than 100 items. The average number of employees is 876 people. -0-