Belarusian enterprises may lose the Ukrainian market

The Gomel Chemical Plant and Grodno Azot (Belarus) faced the counteractions of their competitors in the Ukrainian mineral fertilizer market.

In August 2019, Group DF enterprises initiated a special investigation regarding the import of mineral fertilizers. Group DF representatives appealed to the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine with a complaint that the importers limit their rights. The company suggested introducing fertilizer import quotas with different limits depending on the country. In Belarus, it firstly concerned the Gomel Chemical Plant and Grodno Azot, which business would be seriously hurt by the introduction of the quotas.

The special investigation regarding the import of mineral fertilizers was conducted by the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade of Ukraine.

In June 2020, the Commission declared that they refused to impose mineral fertilizer import limitations. The Belarusian enterprises obviously breathed a sigh of relief but not for long.

Group DF filed a claim against the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine to the Court of Kiev with a request to admit illegal their action and to cancel their decision.

The consideration of the case was scheduled for January 2021. However, the claimants filed a request to start the proceedings earlier, which was approved. The preliminary hearing was held on December 2. It considered the participation of the third parties on the side of the defendants. Representatives of the Gomel Chemical Plant and Grodno Azot made similar requests, which the Court approved as well. The next hearing is scheduled for December 16.

Source: Charter’97