“Don’t support the bloody Lukashenko regime,” the call is shared on Facebook, emphasizing that every tenth liter of beer sold is made in Belarus, at the state-owned Belarusian brewery Krinitsa.
The Belarusian origin is hidden by Lithuanian labels – the manufacturer would have to look for the product description in small print.
“Lithuanian retail chains are rich in beer production from the Lukashenko regime. “Gaspadorių”, “Brolijos”, “Traditional” and many other beers marked with Lithuanian and other brands are produced in the state-owned Belarusian brewery “Krinitsa”, under the control of A. Lukashenko. According to preliminary data, about 20 million liters of Lukashenko beer production is sold in Lithuania per year, which is almost 10 percent of the total domestic beer market.
As the regime needs currency – beer is sold very cheaply, therefore it is very difficult for Lithuanian brewers to compete with such cheap products, ”says the group” Traces of the Red Bear “
The initiative, although civic and beautiful, targets less than 1 percent of Belarusian imports to Lithuania.
We are dependent on Belarusian energy resources – electricity and biofuels, according to the latest import data.
Record imports are mainly electricity and timber
Despite the imposed sanctions and geopolitical tensions, in 8 months of this year alone, Lithuania imported goods from Belarus for 796.6 million euros, 50 percent. more than at the same time last year, according to the Department of Statistics. For comparison, in all 2020, goods were imported for 833 million. euros.
The main Belarusian product that buyers from Lithuania are seizing this year is Belarusian electricity, according to more detailed data. Electricity alone imported 132.7 million euros in 8 months this year – more than in all of 2020 and 2019 combined. 2018 Belarusian electricity imports amounted to 38.6 mln. EUR 86.5 million last year. euros.
This does not mean that all electricity is consumed in Lithuania – it can be forwarded to other neighboring countries.
The second largest line – 107 million. imported wood with a thickness of more than 6 mm. Imports of mineral or chemical fertilizers amounted to 56.9 million. EUR 24.7 million. euro of imported firewood.
Malt beer is only the 25th largest category of imported Belarusian goods, this product was imported for 3.3 million tons this year. euros. Fruit and nuts (EUR 16.7 million), oilseed rape (EUR 12.2 million), linen (EUR 8.8 million), as well as construction materials, vegetables, tires .
Already after the first half Department of Statistics calculated a 58.3 percent increase in Belarusian imports, which was a record. In terms of import volumes, Belarus was ahead only United States of America, which exported 2.4 times more to Lithuania last year than in January – June of the previous year.
Laurinavičius: we pay salaries ourselves for bringing migrants to the border
Marius Laurinavičius, an analyst at the Center for Eastern European Studies (RESC), welcomed the public initiative, but missed the same thing from state policy.
“If the public were more aware, it could really contribute. The question here is not even about democracy in Belarus – by any action, by the purchase of any commodity, even not just from state-owned enterprises, but from Belarus in general, we are basically currently contributing to the war against us. The war is probably clear to everyone – both migrants and diplomatic war. We just don’t have one with Belarus, “says a political observer.
According to him, each Belarusian product, at least in the form of a tax, contributes to filling the pocket of the regime.
“And the regime is arming and paying for its spec. “structures that not only suppress any resistance within the country, but as there is more than one evidence, carry out a hybrid attack, accompany migrants to the Lithuanian border, which causes us problems,” said M. Laurinavičius.
Marius Laurinavičius
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He called the purchase of Belarusian goods “financing the war against us with our own money.” And here he lacked the principledness of the state the most.
“I agree that the population should be encouraged to boycott Belarusian goods, but the state should set an example – that is, politicians, the government of our country: if we are already at war – we will do our best not to support that war against us. Unfortunately, I still do not see the policy of not paying for the war against ourselves from the Lithuanian government. And when the government does not pursue that policy, it is even more difficult to expect it from an ordinary citizen of the country, ”M. Laurinavičius summed up.
He also set an example – so far Belarusian goods are exported to Europe through the port of Klaipeda, despite the fact that US sanctions are already in force.
“It is clear that everyone, even after buying a bottle of beer or a larger product, contributes to that war in a minimal way, it does not need to be emphasized or framed. But if we adhere to some principles ourselves when we are at war with us, I am convinced that we should not support that regime, “the commentator lamented.
Brewers: The regime needs currency, so prices are desperate
President of the Lithuanian Brewers’ Guild Saulius Galadauskas shares allegations of price dumping by Belarus.
“It simply came to our notice then. First of all, most beer from Belarus, the absolute majority, is produced in the state-owned company Krinitsa, its 100% shareholder is the state, it is not privatized. The second thing is that, because the regime is in dire need of currency, it is undoubtedly being sold at desperate prices, and thus the Lithuanian market is being dumped.
However, we cannot bring an anti-dumping case because we are too small. In the Community, at least 25 percent of the market must be harmed in order for us to take legal action, and Lithuania hardly accounts for more than 2 percent. And the third is that the beer is made to order by Lithuanian importers, with Lithuanian labels, the words gaspaths, captain, etc. are used, ”S. Galadauskas reviews and admits that it can be difficult for consumers to select.
Beer
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He stressed that it is the cheapest beer, mostly for those buyers who choose the cheapest alcohol.
“It’s not for beer lovers, it’s more for an alcoholic drink. But, unfortunately, we have a very large circle, a proportion of buyers who consume beer as a substitute for any alcohol and calculate what is cheaper, or what “fruit”, or the cheapest vodka or beer. I don’t think that gourmets would choose a Belarusian beer, and you probably won’t find a single restaurant or pub where you can have a Belarusian beer, “S. Galadauskas assured.
Belarus buys about half as much Lithuanian beer as Lithuania imports from Belarus – on a comparable schedule.
“I have no right to say that anything in our market is of poor quality. Undoubtedly, in Belarus raw materials are cheaper, Belarusian malt is not high quality, other technologies. In my opinion, the quality is really inferior to Lithuanian beer. But comparing in the laboratory whether it is bacteriologically clean, I think that in this sense it is safe to use, ”said the representative of Lithuanian brewers.
There are no legal obstacles to the import of Belarusian products into Lithuania, except for the applicable sanctions. Merchants say it is up to consumers to decide what to buy.
“There are very few of these beers, and they are offered because buyers buy – to increase the range. If people didn’t buy it, it wouldn’t be offered. As I mentioned, it is sold very little, “explained the retail chain.Norfa”Representative Darius Ryliškis.
The Ministry welcomes the initiative, but trade regulation is an EU competence
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it always welcomes the attention shown by the Lithuanian people to the democratic changes in the neighboring country.
“Every message on social networks, a letter to a political prisoner, participation in Belarusian civil society solidarity events and even a bouquet of white and red flowers for Belarusian friends are important in supporting the Belarusian people’s path to freedom and democracy. It is gratifying that our citizens take a clear position on all issues that concern them and defend it, especially considering that the freedom of expression of the people of the neighboring country is limited, ”the comment reads.
Lithuania consistently implements sectoral sanctions applied in the EU, but they do not provide for a ban on the import of beverages from a specific producer.
“Regulation of the European Union (EU) trade regime is an exclusive competence of the EU and decisions are made at the EU level, therefore Lithuania itself has no legal possibilities to restrict trade with Belarus. As a member of the EU, Lithuania cannot independently apply economic sanctions to a certain third country, as this would violate (distort) the common EU market, ”the ministry explains.
The boy is more worried about energy dependence: the effect of the beer boycott is symbolic
Chief Economist at Swedbank Nerijus Mačiulis calls the offer not to buy Belarusian beer a symbolic campaign, but it could not have a more pronounced economic impact.
“The financial consequences for the Belarusian economy, for the Belarusian regime, would probably be very symbolic compared to the sanctions already imposed by the United States and Europe. There are certainly more painful and more felt consequences. This initiative is more symbolic support and a message to the people of Belarus – we see that the elections were illegal and that is how we are trying to express our support. But somehow expecting that such actions can change the regime, you probably shouldn’t, hardly anyone expects that, “says N. Mačiulis.
The volume of beer imports, according to the economist, is also very symbolic in the context of total imports.
Nerijus Mačiulis
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“In general, we remain dependent on electricity imports. It is difficult to say why it is imported more from Belarus than from other countries, but it is probably cheaper and there are not many alternatives. Lithuania still remains dependent on both timber and biofuel imports. Biofuels are increasingly being imported from Belarus because they are not enough in Lithuania. And this is relevant when it comes to Lithuania’s energy independence, “N. Mačiulis did not hide his resentment.
He warned that if Lithuania itself is not able to obtain biofuels in the future, it will be even easier to purchase natural gas from alternative sources – it will be more difficult to transport biofuels.
“When we are now discussing how to heat cheaper, that some cities burn biofuels, and that Vilnius will pay more because of its dependence on gas, here is a good example of being dependent on both imported gas and imported biofuels – there is still energy efficiency. dependence “, – claims N. Mačiulis.
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