Procurement prices for grain of the 2011 harvest have been increased by 28% in Belarus

February 11, Minsk / Tatyana Chumakova - BELTA /. Purchase prices for grain and cereal crops of the 2011 harvest, which will be sold for state needs, have been increased in Belarus by an average of 28%. The corresponding decision was approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 156 of February 8, 2011, the BELTA correspondent was informed at the Council of Ministers' Office. "Taking into account the market price situation, the low profitability of crop production in 2010, and the increase in material costs associated with rising prices for industrial products, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food proposed to set purchase prices for grain and cereal crops of the 2011 harvest at a level that ensures a profitability of 20%, i.e., to increase them by an average of 28%," the Ministry of Agriculture and Food noted, commenting on the resolution. Purchase prices for malting barley have been increased from Br390 thousand to Br550 thousand per ton, or by 41%. A premium of 1% to the purchase price is also provided for protein content of 11-11.5%, and 3% for protein content less than 11%. The price of rapeseed increased by 25%. It amounted to Br1 million per ton of oilseeds for food purposes, and Br938 thousand per ton of oilseeds for technical purposes. Due to the price increase, the profitability of rapeseed will be ensured at 25% with a yield of 17 centners per hectare. The price of sugar beet increased by 28%. The price per ton of the base norm of conditioned beets was Br140 thousand, and unconditioned - Br112 thousand. This price level will increase its profitability to 32.7% with a yield of 440 centners per hectare. No budget subsidy is provided for sugar beet in 2011. The increase in revenue of agricultural organizations from the increase in purchase prices for crop production of the 2011 harvest is estimated at Br656 billion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food noted. The ministry emphasized that the approval of purchase prices for agricultural products of the 2011 harvest at the beginning of the year will allow agricultural organizations to more effectively plan their production and economic activities for the current year. The resolution comes into force after its official publication. -0-