Belarusian imports from the occupied territories of Ukraine soar
What is brought to Belarusian enterprises from the occupied territories? / pixabay.com
In the first nine months of 2024, Belarus has significantly increased the volume of cargo imports from the occupied territories of Ukraine, writes the Community of Belarusian Railway Workers. A huge increase in deliveries was recorded - more than 25 thousand tons, which is 2.5 times higher than the total volume for the previous four years.
According to the authors of the analysis, in 2024 the range of imported goods has fundamentally changed. Previously, coal was brought to Belarus from the occupied territories of Ukraine, but in 2024 it was mainly rolled metal and metal products.
In total, 382 wagons with the total weight of 25,425 tons were shipped.
The detailed range of products is as follows:
Sheet steel - 13,179 tons;
Clay - 5,850 tons;
Coal tar - 3,540 tons;
Sheet metal strips - 1,380 tons;
Foundry coke - 526 tons;
Beams and channels N10-12 - 276 tons;
Diabase powder - 260 tons;
Beams and channels of other types - 414 tons.
The main customers are the largest industrial enterprises of Belarus: CJSC "Osipovichi transport machine-building plant", OJSC "Keramin", IOOO "Omsk Carbon Mogilev", OJSC "BELAZ", Minsk Automobile Plant, OJSC "Gomelstroymaterialy" and others.
At the same time, Belarus literally buys up the goods for next to nothing. The cost of metallurgical products in the occupied territories of Ukraine is significantly lower than the market average.
According to railway workers, this is due to cheap labor, the lack of strict environmental and labor standards, and the ability to work with minimal overhead costs.
The unrecognized status of the occupied territories allows the metal to be sold without paying standard taxes and export duties.
