October 16 2003, 11:59 BelTA

Belarus: output of agricultural commodities in January-September

BelTA news agency with reference to the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis has informed that production of agricultural commodities in all categories of Belarusian farming businesses in January-September this year was worth 5.821 trillion Belarusian roubles (2,132 Belarusian roubles = $1), which is 103.8 percent of the value of production over the corresponding period last year.

Over this period production of goods in agricultural enterprises (kolkhozes) increased 0.8 percent from January-September 2002, production in private peasant households increased 7.2 percent.

The analysis data for the 8 months of 2003 were showing a 5.1 percent lag from 2002.

According to statistics, as of October 6 the amount of harvested grain in the country was 5.313 million tonnes or 93 percent compared with the same date last year. The amount of harvested potato as of the date was 674,700 tonnes (125 percent), the amount of vegetables - 79,400 tonnes (161 percent), of sugar beet - 683,600 tonnes (195 percent).

Sales of animals and poultry in live weight over the 9 months increased 0.6 percent and constituted 493,300 tonnes. Production of milk decreased 1 percent (to 2.436 million tonnes), production of eggs dropped 7 percent (to 1.170 billion).

In January-September the procurement organisations bought from all categories of agricultural producers 722,800 tonnes of grain (73 percent of the level of corresponding period last year), 25,400 tonnes of flax fiber (155 percent), 240,600 tonnes of sugar beet (297 percent), 2.301 million tonnes of milk (100.4 percent). They bought 365,500 tonnes of animals and poultry in live weight (0.2 percent less than last year), 670.5 million eggs (10 percent less).