Thriving co-operation in eastern direction

1.4-fold growth — the production branch for peat extraction and processing of the Vitebskoblgaz unitary enterprise is ramping up product supplies to China 

The relations between Belarus and China received a powerful impetus for development in September 2022, when, on the sidelines of the events within the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation in Samarkand, the leaders of Belarus and China adopted a joint declaration on establishing the highest level of relations in history — all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership. This event marked a historic breakthrough for bothstates while the interest in deepening interagency and interregional contacts across all areas has increased manifold. The MT journalists learnt during their visit to the Vitebsktorf production branch of Vitebskoblgaz how the political decision by the leaders of the Blue-eyed country [Belarus’ nickname] and the Celestial Empire are being implemented in practice.

On the Silk Road 

This summer was not the most favourable for the peat bogs of Vitebskoblgaz due to heavy rainfall. In July alone, the actual amount of precipitation exceeded the norm by 1.2 times. Nevertheless, despite the whims of the weather, the production is actively functioning, rapidly approaching the seasonal plan for the extraction of raised bog peat. According to Pavel Kravchenko, Director of the Vitebsktorf production branch of the Vitebskoblgaz unitary enterprise, this work will be completed, “We must get it done to ensure the uninterrupted operation of production and fulfil contractual obligations to our foreign partners. It is about our reputation and the immense effort invested in diversifying export supplies and entering new foreign markets — first and foremost, the market of the People’s Republic of China.”   
As noted by Konstantin Pochepko, Deputy General Director for Industrial and Agricultural Production at Vitebskoblgaz, the complex geopolitical conditions and the sanctions pressure from Europe, where partners have refused to co-operate with Belarusian producers, have compelled the enterprise to turn its attention to the East,

“As Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised in one of his speeches, the time of Asia has come, and it is crucial not to miss out on this opportunity. The decisions made by the leaders of Belarus and China have undoubtedly facilitated access to this Eastern market. 

We began exploring it in 2022. We obtained accreditation, worked out supply logistics, and participated in several major exhibitions where we found business partners and signed our first contracts. As a result, in 2023, we shipped 1,600 tonnes of peat products to the Celestial Empire worth $167,000. Alongside this, our specialists have continued their active efforts to expand our presence in the Chinese market. Thus, from January to July 2024, we have already shipped the entire volume of last year — 1,600 tonnes of peat valued at $229,000. In monetary terms, this represents growth by 1.4 times.”   
Experts from Vitebskoblgaz evaluate the potential of the Chinese market highly. In just two and a half years, its share in the total volume of export shipments of peat products has risen to 13 percent. The People’s Republic of China has taken third place in the company’s export rankings following Russia and Türkiye, which account for 40 and 26 percent of shipments abroad, respectively.
“The close attention to China does not diminish our interest in other markets, including the Asian region,” remarked Konstantin Pochepko. “In 2024, we began supplying peat products to Armenia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. Currently, we are working on delivering a trial batch to Kyrgyzstan.” 

Under the sign of quality  

The focus on the quality of peat products enables Vitebskoblgaz to remain competitive even under the unstable conditions of the global market, as noted by Pavel Kravchenko. It is impossible to maintain high standards without the implementation of modern technologies in the production process. Therefore, Vitebsktorf is continuously working on the search for and acquisition of new high-efficiency equipment both at the raw material harvesting stage and during the production process. Thus, in December 2023, all work on the installation of a big bale press machine in the agro-town of Krulevshchina was completed. The new equipment has ensured increased productivity from eight to 16 big bales per hour, as well as significantly improved packaging quality. In February 2024, an advanced packaging machine for filling bags with volumes ranging from 2.5 to 55 litres was put into operation.
By Olga Bogacheva