PJSC Azot (Cherkasy), part of Dmytro Firtash’s Group DF, produced 1.42 million tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers in January-November 2019, which is 9.2% more than for the whole of 2018, Group DF’s press service has said.
According to a press release, production of ammonium nitrate for the reporting period amounted to 417,500 tonnes, carbamide some 557,200 tonnes, carbamide-ammonia mixture some 438,100 tonnes. At the same time, production of ammonia was 55,700 tonnes, non-concentrated nitric acid some 507,200 tonnes, and ammonia water some 9,200 tonnes.
“In 2019, we achieved almost 100% loading of our production capacities. The growth in production volumes by the end of the year will be about 10% … For the 11 months of this year, we increased production of carbamide-ammonia mixture by 81% compared to the corresponding period last year (from 240,900 tonnes to 438,100 tonnes). Carbamide production increased by 55%. Nitrate production also increased, but only slightly,” Group DF’s press service said citing Vitaliy Skliarov, the chairman of the company’s board.
Among the main growth factors, the company indicates the antidumping measures of the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade regarding the supply of fertilizers from the Russian Federation.
Ukraine in 2018 exported 341,442 tonnes of nitrogen mineral or chemical fertilizers (according to foreign economic activity code 3102) for $64.446 million and imported 1.358 million tonnes for $288.002 million.
According to the State Fiscal Service, nitrogen fertilizers were delivered to Turkey for $25.092 million, China for $10.3 million, to Romania for $7.584 million, and other countries for $21.47 million.
Last year, imports of nitrogen fertilizers were made from Belarus for $59.684 million, Uzbekistan for $46.235 million, Lithuania for $33.713 million, and other countries for $148.371 million.
Thus, exports of fertilizers last year halved, and in value terms fell by almost two times. Imports of fertilizers decreased by 22.1%, in value terms by 14.6%.
In addition, in 2018 Ukraine exported 40,209 tonnes of ammonia (code 2814) for $9.498 million, imported 441,607 tonnes for $137.333 million.
In 2018, ammonia was exported to Turkey ($4.54 million), Morocco ($2.414 million), Bulgaria ($1.921 million), other countries ($623,000). In 2018, ammonia was imported from the Russian Federation ($134.563 million), Belarus ($2.754 million), Germany ($14,000), and other countries ($2,000).
