The value of Belarusian potash exports to China increased significantly in the first half of the year, according to Chinese customs statistics for the first six months. China is increasing both its purchases of fertilisers and the prices it pays for them.
China imported 8.8 million tonnes of potash fertilisers in January-June, up 40.2% from the same period last year. In value terms, imports rose 76.5% to $3.17 billion.
In June, China imported 1.38 million tonnes of potash fertilisers, 2.1 times more than in June last year. In value terms, imports increased 2.5-fold to $496.9 million.
Imports of potash fertilisers from Belarus totalled $696.3 million in January-June, an increase of 85.1% compared with the same period last year. Imports also increased from other countries: from Russia by 59.8% to $1.03 billion, from Canada by 80.5% to $548.9 million, from Laos 2.2-fold to $568.4 million, and from Israel by 40% to $150.2 million.
In June alone, Chinese buyers imported $63.6 million worth of potash fertilisers from Belarus, up 80.7% from a year earlier. Russia was the largest supplier of potash to China in June, with exports worth $178.9 million, 3.4 times more than a year earlier, while Laos ranked second, with imports rising 4.7-fold to $138.9 million. June imports from Canada increased by 90.4% to $74.6 million, while imports from Israel more than doubled to $31.7 million.
According to Chinese customs statistics, the total value of goods imported from Belarus increased by 10.9% year-on-year to $956.9 million in the first half of the year.
