Liozno grain elevator accepts grain from four regions of Belarus

– There are no grounds for excessive praise, but it would be a sin to complain, – thus characterized the production situation at the republican unitary enterprise "Liozno Grain Elevator" its Director Vladimir Antankov. – So far, we have accepted 23 thousand tons of grain, and there is enough free capacity for another 40 thousand tons. It is delivered by trucks from the Vitebsk, Minsk, Mogilev, and Grodno regions. Liozno district, in particular, has supplied about 8 thousand tons of grain. The elevator operates around the clock. For the procurement period, we are hiring additional inspectors (laboratory assistant assistants) and loaders. As for the quality of this year's grain harvest, out of the total volume of accepted wheat, 3rd class accounts for about 10 percent, and half is feed grain.

Part of the dried and cleaned grain is sent for export through "Vitebskablagroservice". In 2015, when we were included in the Customs Union's register of enterprises, over 20 thousand tons were shipped to Russia. This August, about 3 thousand tons have already been shipped. Grain is transported abroad by road. For distances of 200-300 km, it is more mobile and cheaper than by rail, although a truck can carry 45-48 tons of grain, while a railway car carries 62-65 tons.

For major production needs, the elevator uses natural gas. Other thermal energy requirements are met by a boiler operating on local fuels, i.e., waste products obtained during grain cleaning. Last year's 260 tons were sufficient for the entire heating season and hot water supply this summer. 680 million rubles (before denomination) were saved. By the way, the boiler was purchased for 370 million rubles. The remaining waste products are sold to the public for fertilizing gardens; last year, local residents bought about 400 tons.

The enterprise has branded stores: one in each of the agro-towns of Babinovichi and Dobromysli, and two in Liozno. They plan to build a fifth store in the new microdistrict of the regional center. 28 out of 108 employees at the elevator are involved in the sale of food products. They are supplied by enterprises from Vitebsk, Polotsk, Orsha, Minsk, Borisov, Lida, Novobelitsa, Klimovichi, and other cities that owe the elevator. The total monthly turnover is

2.6 – 2.7 billion rubles. The elevator also has underground storage facilities for 5 thousand tons, where sugar and flour are stored. Currently, they are half-empty.

 – There are no salary or energy resource debts. Accounts receivable exceed accounts payable by about four times. There is no credit portfolio; we are currently operating on our own funds, – the director of the base summarized his account of current daily operations.

Galina Shpakovskaya. Photos by Anton Stepanishchev. Vitebskiye vesti.