Belarusian agricultural enterprises have already supplied 20% of grain for state needs, Vadim Pobedinsky, Head of the Main Department for Grain Products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, informed journalists today, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"Grain processing plants are procuring 860 thousand tons of grain for state needs, of which 20% has already been supplied to date, amounting to 172 thousand tons of grain. Harvesting began earlier in the Brest and Gomel regions, hence the higher rates of grain delivery for state needs there – over 30% in the Brest region and about 30% in the Gomel region. The Grodno and Mogilev regions have already supplied 20% of grain each, and the Minsk region – 16%. The Vitebsk region has also started delivering its harvest – 3 thousand tons have been delivered there, or 3% of the target," noted Vadim Pobedinsky.
The Head of the Main Department for Grain Products stated that the supply of 540 thousand tons of wheat, 232 thousand tons of rye, 28 thousand tons of barley, 40 thousand tons of oats, 15 thousand tons of buckwheat, and 5 thousand tons of millet is planned for state needs. The supply of 82 thousand tons of malting barley and 12 thousand tons of corn is also envisaged. Furthermore, it is planned to procure approximately 250-280 thousand tons of grain for alcohol production.
"Grain processing plants are currently operating around the clock. Grain ripening is later this year, so last year more than 50% of grain for state needs had already been supplied by this time, but it is a matter of time. Regarding the quality of the grain – it meets last year's indicators," emphasized Vadim Pobedinsky.
The Head of the Main Department for Grain Products recalled that this year the purchase prices for grain supplied under the state order have been increased by 30%. "In accordance with the decision of the head of state, financing and preferential loans are provided for the payment of grain delivered for state needs. Funds from organizations will also be partially used. The money is available," he stated.