Uralkali management plans to increase potassium chloride production to 5 million tons in 2004, up by 15 percent compared to the last year. During the first 10 months of 2004 production grew by 18% compared with the same period last year.

The figures released show that potassium chloride production was 4,162 million tons for the first 10 months of the year. Of this, granular potassium chloride accounted for 1,003 million tons, up by 30% compared to the same period last year, halurgy potassium chloride powder accounted for 1,284 million tons, again a 30% increase, and, pink potassium chloride reached 1,875 million tons.

"In 2003, Uralkali's output reached a record level of 4.4 million tons", said the company's General Director Maxim Bakshinsky. "In the next few years, we will be gradually increasing production and by 2008 we plan to have increased K-fertiliser to 7 million tons. This will be one of the main factors in our becoming the leader in the world potassium market".