MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – Belarusian sugar has been supplied to 20 countries this year. According to the data for January-September 2024, the EAEU states accounted for the lion's share of Belarus’ exports. Much less was supplied to the faraway countries, the EU space, and the African continent, Chairman of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospischeprom Oleg Zhidkov
told BelTA.
The implementation of three state programs (2003-2004, 2005-2010, 2011-2015) focused on the sugar industry helped develop sugar beet cultivation areas, increase sugar beet harvests 3.8 times, boost sugar beet processing capacities and step up beet sugar production three times (from 185,000 tonnes in 2000 to 635,000 tonnes in 2023).
“The implementation of the state programs ensured the country’s self-sufficiency in sugar from domestic raw materials. Sustainable beet-growing zones have been developed around sugar refineries,” the Belgospischeprom head said.
According to Oleg Zhidkov, the sugar industry regularly modernize its production lines, aiming to both increase processing volumes and save fuel and energy resources. This allows the enterprises to demonstrate sustainable performance and secure victories at the Best Sugar Refinery of the Eurasian Economic Union competition. The competition evaluates the performance of more than 70 sugar refineries. “Numerous victories of domestic enterprises testify to the rightly chosen way of development,” the chairman of the the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospischeprom said.
Work has also been organized on geographical diversification of sugar exports, which opens new markets for domestic producers and promotes their stable presence there. At the same time, Russia and Central Asian countries still account for the main share of Belarusian sugar exports.