On February 11, Minsk / Tatyana Chumakova - BELTA /. Procurement prices for grain and cereal crops of the 2011 harvest, to be sold for state needs, have been increased in Belarus by an average of 28%. The corresponding decision was approved by 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, 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 Industry proposed to set procurement prices for grain and cereal crops of the 2011 harvest at a level ensuring a profitability of 20%, i.e., to increase them by an average of 28%," the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry noted, commenting on the resolution. Procurement prices for malting barley have been increased from Br390 thousand to Br550 thousand per ton, or by 41%. A surcharge of 1% to the procurement 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, a profitability of 25% for rapeseed will be ensured at a yield of 17 cwt/ha. The price for sugar beet increased by 28%. The price per ton of the base norm of conditioned beet was Br140 thousand, and unconditioned - Br112 thousand. This price level will increase its profitability to 32.7% at a yield of 440 cwt/ha. No budget supplement is provided for sugar beet in 2011. The increase in revenue for agricultural organizations from the increase in procurement prices for crop production of the 2011 harvest is estimated at Br656 billion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry noted. The ministry emphasized that the approval of procurement 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-

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