THE MINERAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY IN THE USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 58
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 15, 2013
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: August 22, 1957
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
"SECRCI.
NI 70
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
THE MINERAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY
IN THE USSR
CIA/RR 97
22 August 1957
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
WARNING
This material contains information affecting
the National Defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws,
Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation of which in any manner
to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E-C -R-E-T
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
THE MINERAL FERTILT7PR INDUSTRY IN THE USSR
CIA/RR 97
(ORR Project 22.1566)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Research and. Reports
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Summary
S -E -C -R-E -T
CONTENTS
Page
1
I. Introduction 3
A. Significance 3
B. Administration 4
C. Technology 5
II. Supply 6
A. Production
B. Trade
6
13
1. With the Free World 13
2. With the Sino-Soviet Bloc 13
3. Total 13
III. Distribution 16
A. By Crop
B. By Republic
16
17
IV. Prices 20
V. Inputs 21
VI. Future Expansion 22
? A. General 22
B. Nitrogen 23
C. Potassium 24
D. Phosphorus 25
E. Phosphorite Meal 25
VII. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions 25
A. Capabilities 25
B. Vulnerabilities 26
C. Intentions 26
S-E -C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Appendixes
Page
Appendix A. Types of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR . . . . 29
Appendix B. Mineral Fertilizer Facilities in the USSR . . .
Appendix C. Principal Deposits of Phosphate Rock
in the USSR 43
39
Appendix D. Methodology
)45
Tables
1. Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR, 1913,
1928-40, and 1945-56 8
2. Comparison of Production of Mineral Fertilizers
in the USSR with Production in the US, 1955 10
3. Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR,
by Republic, Selected Years) 1913-60 11
U. Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR,
by Economic Region, 1955 12
5. Soviet Trade in Mineral Fertilizers with the Free
14
6. Soviet Trade in Mineral Fertilizers with Other Countries
of the Sino-Soviet Bloc, 1955 15
7. Estimated Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers in the
USSR, by Crop, 1955 and 1960 18
World, 1955
- iv -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R -E -T
Page
8. Estimated Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers
In the USSR, by Organization and by Republic)
1955 19
9. Comparison of Prices of Selected Mineral
Fertilizers in the USSR and in the US, 1955 . 20
10. Estimates of the Inputs Required to
Manufacture Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR,
1955 22
11. Estimated and Planned Production of Mineral
Fertilizers in the USSR, by Type, 1956-60 . 24
12. Mineral Fertilizer Facilities of the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry, USSR, 1955 39
13. Reported Phosphorus Pentoxide Content of
Principal Deposits of Phosphate Rock in the
.USSR
Map
44
Following Page
USSR: Mineral Fertilizer Industry, 1955 ? 42
-v -
-E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
CIA/RR 97 S-E-C-R-E-T
(ORB Project 22.1566)
THE MINERAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY IN THE USSR*
Sur_ziar
The goal of the Sixth Five Year Plan (1955-60) for production of
19.6 million metric tons** of mineral fertilizers in the USSR in 1960
probably will not be achieved, despite the vital significance of
mineral fertilizers to production of agricultural crops.
The annual production of mineral fertilizers in the USSR in 1960
Is estimated at 16.8 million tons, an increase of about 75 percent
over production in 1955. This was the rate of increase actually
attained under the Fifth Five Year Plan (1951-55), when production
fell short of the announced goal. During this period there were fail-
ures in adequately increasing Soviet capacity to produce phosphorus
and potassium ores. Supplies of sulfuric acid and ammonia for pro-
duction of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers probably were limited
and also contributed to the failure to reach the goal. The causes of
this failure apparently were not completely eliminated in 1956. Al-
though the annual Plan for nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers was
overfulfilled, the Plan for phosphorite meal and potassium fertilizers
was underfulfilled. This shortcoming will not be remedied in 1957,
because an increase of only about 6 percent in production is planned._
The increase in production achieved during the Fifth Five Year Plan,
the increase in 1956, and the small increase planned for 1957 all
indicate that the goal planned for 1960 will not be attained. Factors
that may contribute to the failure to reach that goal are shortcomings
In production of ammonia and sulfuric acid and the continuing short-
ages of mining equipment and corrosion-resistant materials needed for
the construction of phosphoric acid plants.
Production of mineral fertilizers in the USSR in selected years,
1940-60,.1s shown (in thousand,tons) in the following tabulation***:
* The estimates and conclusions contained in this report repre-
sent the best judgment of CER as of 1 June 1957.
** Tonnages are given in metric tons throughout this report.
*** Except for 1960, figures are officially announced Soviet statis-
tics. Estimates for 1960 have been rounded to three significant
digits.
S -E -C -R-E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R-E -T
Fertilizer 1940 1950 1955 1960
Nitrogen
(20.5 percent nitrogen)
971.7
1,908.3
2,984.0
5,300
Potassium
(41.6 percent potassium
oxide)
532.3
750.4
1,898.3
2,700
Phosphorus
(18.7 percent phosphorus
pentoxide)
Phosphorite meal
(19 percent phosphorus
pentoxide)
1,351.9
381.7
2,350.5
483.2
3,833.7
924.0
6,600
2,200
Total
3,237.6
5,492.4
9,640.0
16 800
In 1955, production of mineral fertilizers in the USSR reached
37 percent of production in the US. About one-half of the total
supply was consumed by the principal industrial crops (cotton) sugar
beets, flax, and hemp). By 1960 the percentage of the supply of
mineral fertilizers used on these crops will decline to about one-
third of the total, leaving a greater supply for use on other crops,
principally grain) potatoes) and vegetables.
The capacity to produce mineral fertilizers has military as well as
agricultural significance because production of the fertilizer plants
can be diverted to production of important nitrogen chPmicals for mili-
tary uses. Moreover, the increased exploitation of deposits of phos-
phorite will provide a new potential source .of uranium. The uranium
content of some of the minable beds has been estimated at between
0.01 and 0.03 percent, well within practical limits of exploitation.
The level of Soviet technology in producing and applying mineral
fertilizers varies with the type of fertilizer. In production of
superphosphate, Soviet application of advanced technology surpasses
that of the US, but in the production and application of concentrated
phosphorus fertilizers and various types of nitrogen fertilizers,
Soviet technology is inferior to that of the US.
The mineral fertilizer industry of the USSR is self-sufficient
In raw materials and has no significant economic vulnerabilities which
could be exploited from outside the USSR.
- 2 -
S -E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
I. Introduction.
A. Significance.
The use of mineral fertilizers is essential to the increases
planned for agricultural production in the USSR under the Sixth Five
Year Plan (1955-60). The success of this program will depend largely
on increases in the yields of agricultural crops, and a significant
factor in achieving such increases is a more intensive application of
fertilizers. The following extract from a recent Soviet article il-
lustrates the importance of fertilizers to agricultural production:
If all fertilizers will be rationally used by agri-
culture, then the country in 1960 will receive from the
use of fertilizers alone the following additional amounts
of products: grain, 27 million tons; potatoes (tubers),
22 million tons; sugar, 3 million tons; fibers (cotton)
flax, and hemp), 2 million tons. 1/*
Mineral fertilizers constitute an important group of chemicals
from the point of view both of their consumption in agriculture and
of total production of chemicals. The value of the mineral ferti-
lizers produced in the USSR in 1955 is estimated at about 1.5 billion
rubles.** About 45 percent of production of sulfuric acid and about
85 percent of production of synthetic ammonia were consumed in the
manufacture of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers in 1955. Mineral
fertilizers probably account for at least 10 percent of the total
value of all chemicals sold by the Ministry of the Chemical Industry
to other Ministries.***
** In prices of 1 July 1955. For a discussion of the ruble-dollar
ratios for products of the mineral fertilizer industry, see IV, p. 20,
below. For methodology, see Appendix D.
*** A recent article indicated that agricultural chemicals accounted
for 15 percent of the value of all chemicals produced by the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry and distributed to other ministries in 1955. Ej
Although the value of insecticides and certain other agricultural
chemicals would be included in this group, mineral fertilizers proba-
bly account for a very substantial share of the total. It should be
noted that these data are aggregates at the ministerial level and are
not comparable with the usual data on "gross output" computed by the
so-called factory method. Much of the double counting inherent in the
use of the factory method is eliminated when the aggregates are com-
puted at the ministerial level.
- 3 -
S -E -C -R-E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R -E -T
Soviet production of mineral fertilizers has significance be-
yond its importance in total production of chemicals and in the achieve-
ment of increased agricultural production. In the first place, produc-
tion of the fertilizer plants can be diverted to produce vital nitrogen
compounds for military explosives, rocket propulsion, and atomic en-
ergy. Secondly, the increased exploitation of the Kara-Tau deposits of
phosphorite near Chulak-Tau will provide a new source of uranium. The
uranium, which may be recovered as a byproduct while producing concen-
trated phosphorus fertilizers from some of the minable ores, has been
estimated at between 0.01 and 0.03 percent.* 1/
The increased use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture may
have two corollary effects in addition to the main benefit of increas-
ing the yields of crops. The expanded use of mineral fertilizers will
increase the productivity of farm labor and possibly release a supply
of labor which could be channeled to the development of new lands or
transferred to industrial activities. Moreover, the extensive distri-
bution of fertilizers by the machine tractor stations, which the gov-
ernment plans to make the decisive force in agricultural production,
will increase the dependence of the peasants on the state and will
bring them more completely under the control of the Soviet system.
B. Administration.
According to a recent statement by the Minister of the Chemi-
cal Industry, S.M. Tikhmirov, enterprises,of the Ministry of the Chemi-
cal Industry accounted for 91 to 92 percent of the mineral fertilizers
produced in 1955. V These enterprises are subordinate to the follow-
ing administrations: nitrogen fertilizer plants (excluding plants
producing ammonium sulfate as a byproduct of coke), to the Main Admin-
istration of the Nitrogen Industry; potassium, phosphorite, and apa-
tite mines and refineries, to the Main Administration of the Mining
Chemical Industry; and superphosphate plants, to the Main Administra-
tion of the Chemical Industry. 2/ Most of the remaining 8 to 9 per-
cent of the mineral fertilizers produced in 1955 was supplied in the
forms of Thomas meal and of ammonium sulfate (produced as a byproduct
of coke) by plants of the Ministry of Ferrous Metallurgy. .c./ Indus-
trial cooperatives produce some phosphorite meal, 1/ and at least one
plant producing manganese microfertilizer is subordinate to the Min-
istry of the Petroleum Industry. !/
* Uranium is recovered from ores of this concentration in the US,
although the process is costly and the amount produced is small.
_14_
S -E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
C. Technology.
Superphosphate, which has been a standard fertilizer in the
US and in the USSR for many years, is produced by the decomposition
of finely ground phOsphate rock with sulfuric acid.
Soviet application of advanced technology in production of
superphosphate appears to have surpassed that of the US. Most of
the superphosphate plants in the US still operate on the early batch
process. 91/ In recent years, US manufacturers have concentrated on
the expansion of facilities for production of more concentrated fer-
tilizers and have done little to construct or to modernize plants for
production of superphosphate. Since World War II' the USSR has recon-
structed and expanded its war-damaged superphosphate plants and in-
stalled several new plants which were designed to operate under the
semicontinuous and continuous processes. The continuous process is
superior to the batch process in that it requires less time and labor
and results in a product of better quality. Of the total amount of
superphosphate produced in the USSR in 1955, 30 percent was produced
by the continuous process, 52 percent by the semicontinuous and only
18 percent by the batch process. 12/
Production of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and potas-
sium fertilizers is well established in the USSR, and the level of
technology appears to be equal to that in the US.
The USSR lags behind the US in production of concentrated
phosphorus fertilizers (double superphosphate, precipitate, and ammo-
fos)) and in production and application of some types of nitrogen
fertilizers.* In 1955 the US produced about 3.3 million tons of
concentrated phosphorus fertilizers)** and the USSR produced only
small quantities. Soviet production is not scheduled to reach 1 mil-
lion tons until 1960. 12/
* For example, urea, nitrogen solutions, and anhydrous ammonia for
direct application to the soil.
**. This figure includes all phosphorus fertilizers with a content of
more than 25 percent P205 (phosphorus pentoxide) and has been esti-
mated as 617,000 tons of 100 percent P205, 11/ equivalent to 3.3 mil-
lion tons on the basis of 18.7 percent of P205) which is the basis
generally used by the USSR in reporting production of phosphorus fer-
tilizers.
- 5 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R -E -T
Phosphoric acid Is a raw material which is essential to pro-
duction of concentrated phosphorus fertilizers, and it appears that
the lack of phosphoric acid is limiting the expansion of production
of concentrated phosphorus fertilizers in the USSR. The materials
required to produce and handle the highly corrosive wet phosphoric
acid include stainless steel, rubber, lead, carbon or karbate, and
acid-resisting bricks or cement. 11/ According to a recent Soviet
statement, the construction of phosphoric acid plants is being de-
layed by shortages of equipment and corrosion-resistant materials. 14/
These shortages probably account for recent Soviet efforts to pur-
chase a plant abroad.
Soviet technology also lags in production of defluorinated
phosphates. the first plant of this
type was not yet in operation in February 1956, Ig whereas a plant
of this type has been operating in the US for several years. 1//
Early in 1956 the Minister of the Chemical Industry criticized the
State Institute for the Planning of Basic Chemical Enterprises for
taking excessive time in designing such a plant. 2211/
II. Supply.
A. Production.
Most of the mineral fertilizers used in prerevolutionary
Russia were imported, as were the raw materials required for the
small amount of domestic production. In 1919 the Scientific Insti-
tute of Fertilizers* was founded for the purposes of discovering
deposits of raw materials for the fertilizer industry, studying the
conversion of raw materials into fertilizers, and studying the use of
fertilizers on various soils and crops. Geologic surveys led to the
discovery of large deposits of apatite ore with a high P205 content
on the Kola Peninsula, as well as deposits of potassium salt at
Solikamsk in the Urals. These deposits were exploited, and produc-
tion of phosphorus raw materials was adequate for domestic require-
ments by 1932. During the first three Five Year Plans, a large po-
tassium mine and a concentration plant were constructed at Solikamsk,
the apatite mines and the concentration plant on the Kola Peninsula
were expanded, and a nitrogen fertilizer industry was established by
the construction of nitrogen plants at Berezniki, Chirchik, Dnepro-
dzerzhinsk) Gorlovka, Kemerovo, and Stalinogorsk. Production of
* Now called the Scientific Institute for Fertilizers and Insecto-
fungicides.
- 6 -
S -E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
mineral fertilizers increased from 68,800 tons in 1913 to more than
3 million tons in 1940. Reported production of mineral fertilizers
In the USSR in 1913, 1928-40, and 1945-56 is shown in Table 1.*
During World War II, more than 50 percent of the facilities
for production of mineral fertilizers were destroyed. 12/ The vol-
ume of actual production during the war years is not known but was
probably very low.
A goal of producing 5.1 million tons of mineral fertilizers
plus 400,000 tons of phosphorite meal was announced in the Fourth
Five Year Plan (1946-50). 22/ The war-damaged plants were recon-
structed, and new plants were built. The important Kara-Tau deposits
of phosphorite were developed and provided raw materials for produc-
tion of superphosphate in Central Asia (Economic Region Xb**). Pro-
duction of all types of mineral fertilizers in 1950 amounted to about
5.5 million tons) essentially fulfilling the goal. The Plan for po-
tassium and nitrogen fertilizers was exceeded; but production of phos-
phorus fertilizers did not reach the goal, 21/ apparently because of
the limited supply of sulfuric acid.
The Fifth Five Year Plan (1951-55) provided for an increase
in production of mineral fertilizers of 88 percent over that of 1950. 22/
Thus the goal for 1955 was about 10 million tons. New nitrogen fer-
tilizer plants at Kirovakan, Lisichansk, and Rustavi; new superphos-
phate plants at Krasnouralisk, Samarkand, and Sumy; and the first sec-
tion of a new potassium combine at Berezniki were put into operation.
Despite this new capacity and the expansion of existing facilities,
production in 1955 amounted to 9.64 million tons, an increase of only
75 percent over production in 1950. The Minister of the Chemical In-
dustry stated that plans for production of phosphorus fertilizers)
phosphorite meal, and potassium fertilizers were not fulfilled under
the Fifth Five Year Plan and criticized the Main Administration of.
the Mining Chemical Industry for not adequately increasing capacity
for production of ore for apatite concentrates, phosphorite meal, and
potassium salts. 13/ Production was limited by shortages of mining
equipment and an inadequate supply of sulfuric acid and ammonia for
the manufacture of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers. 212/
* Table 1 follows on p. 8.
** The term region in this report refers to the economic regions
- 7 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E-C-R-E-T
Table 1
Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR LL/*
1913, 1928-40, and 1945-56
Thousand Metric Tons
Year
Nitrogen II/
Potassium 2/
phosphorus 21/
Phosphorite
Meal 2/
Total
1913 1/
13.8
o
47.1
o
68.8
1913 31
13.8
o
67.3
7.9
89.0
1928
11.2
0
111.5
12.7
135.4
1929
16.6
0
145.1
46.5
208.2
1930
19.4
0
302.9
181.3
503.6
1931
27.5
0
361.4
312.1
701.0
1932
55.6
1.9
478.7
384.6
920.8
1933
110.9
45.8
545.o
332.0
1,033.7
1934
226.0
196.0
691.9
284.3
1,398.2
1935
374.5
291.6
1,125.8
530.9
2,322.8
1936
552.8
4o6.6
1,256.6
623.0
2,839.0
1937
761.6
355.8 i
1,472.7
649.9
30240.0
1938
828.1
357.9
1,595.7
631.5
3,413.2
1939
958.8
383.2
1,637.9
582.2
3,562.1
1940
971.7
532.3
1,351.9
381.7
3,237.6
1945
744.7
130.7
233.6
10.1
1,119.1
1946
894.1
203.5
560.9
50.6
1,709.1
1947
1,123.8
357.1
798.8
75.6
2,355.3
1948
1,353.0
465.7
1,411.1
238.0
3,467.8
1949
1,685.7
594.1
1,930.2
375.3
45585.3
1950
1,908.3
750.4
2,350.5
483.2
5,492.4
1951
2,078.6
820.4
2,472.1
553.6
5,924.7
1952
2,236.0
9o4.7
2,654.8
598.8
6,394.3
1953
2,355.6
1,o48.4
2,918.7
645.1
6,967.8
1954
2,648.6
1,294.6
3,350.3
766.4
8,059.9
1955
2,984.0
1,898.3
3,833.7
924.o
9,640.0
1956 )2/
3,400
2,200
4,300
1,000
10,900
* Footnotes for Table 1 follow on p. 9.
- 8 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 1
Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR Ri
1913, 1928-40, and 1945-56
(Continued)
b. In terms of 20.5 percent N (nitrogen).
C. In terms of 41.6 percent 1(20 (potaSsium oxide).
d. In terms of 18.7 percent P205 (phosphorus pentoxide).
e. In terms of 19 percent P205.
f. Figures cover the boundaries of the USSR up to 17 September 1939.
g. Figures cover the present boundaries of the USSR.
h. Production by type of fertilizer is estimated. The reported
figure for total production is preliminary.
In 1956, the first year of the Sixth Five Year Plan, the an-
nual Plan was overfulfilled with regard to production of nitrogen and
phosphorus fertilizers but was underfulfilled with regard to production
of phosphorite meal and potassium fertilizers. Eg It appears that
the problems of the Main Administration of the Mining Chemical Industry
which limited expansion under the Fifth Five Year Plan were not solved
In 1956.
A comparison of production of mineral fertilizers in the USSR
with that in the US in 1955 is shown in Table 2.*
Before World War II, facilities for producing mineral ferti-
lizers were concentrated almost entirely in the RSFSR and the Ukrain-
ian SSR. Such facilities were practically nonexistent in the repub-
lics of Central Asia (Kirgiz SSR, Tadzhik SSR, Turkmen SSR, and Uzbek
SSR) and of the Transcaucasus (the Armenian SSR, Azerbaydzhan SSR, and
the Georgian SSR) and in other regions which consumed large amounts of
fertilizers. This situation resulted in excessive shipments by rail.
Reportedly, shipments totaling more than 1 billion ton-kilometers per
year could have been avoided by constructing plants nearer to the con-
suming areas. EV Since World War II a considerable effort has been
made to reduce the requirements for transportation of fertilizers. Many
of the new plants producing fertilizers have been located in the consum-
ing regions, so that by 1949 the average distance over which fertilizers
* Table 2 follows on p. 10.
- 9 -
S -E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R-E -T
Table 2
Comparison of Production of. Mineral Fertilizers
with Production in the us
1955
In the USSR
Fertilizer
USSR
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
US 2../
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
USSR as
Percent
of US
Nitrogen h/
3.0
8.8
34
Potassium 2/
1.9
4.o
47
Phosphorus 1/
3.8
12.0 ,
32
Phosphorite meal
0.9
1.3
69
Total
9.6
26.1
37
a. Reported for the period 1 July 1954 through 30 June
1955. 2?/
b. In terms of 20.5 Percent N (nitrogen).
c. In terms of 41.6 percent K20 (potassium oxide).
d. In terms of 18.7 percent P205 (phosphorus pentoxide).
Supplied by superphosphate and other forms of phosphorus fer-
tilizers. Excludes phosphorite meal prepared for application
(direct or in "compound" fertilizer mixtures) without further
processing.
e. In terms of 19 percent P205. Used for direct application.
f. All figures have been rounded to three significant digits.
Totals are derived independently from unrounded figures and
do not always agree with the sums of the rounded components.
were transported had been reduced to 93 percent of that in 1940. E9/
By 1955, about 1.2 million tons of mineral fertilizers were produced
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan (Xs.), and the Transcaucasus (V), regions
In which practically no mineral fertilizers were produced before
World War II. It is planned that the annual production of mineral
fertilizers in these regions by 1960 will exceed 2.4 million tons.
-10-
S -E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E -0 -Et -E -T
The reported production of mineral fertilizers in the USSR, by
republic, in selected years from 1913 through 1955 and planned pro-
duction in 1960 are shown in Table 3.
Table 3
Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR, by Republic
Selected Years, 1913-60
Thousand Metric Tons
Republic
1913
1940
1950
1954
1955
1960 12/
RSFSR
33
2,164
3)088
4,326
5,236
9,930
Armenian SSR
0
0
58
176
190
304
Azerbaydzhan SSR
0
0
0
0
0
N.A.
Belorussian SSR
0
13
0
0
0
0
Estonian SSR
0
0
78
122
143
572
Georgian SSR
0
0
0
0.2
30
240
Kazakh SSR
0
0
22
323
346
692
Latvian SSR
0
47
177
272
286
400
Lithuanian SSR
0
0
U.
46
' 46
N.A.
Turkmen SSR
0
0
0
0
0
N.A.
Ukrainian SSR
36
1,012
1,536
2,235
2,728
5,460
Uzbek SSR
0
2
522
560
634
1,200
Total
3,238
5,492
8,o60
9,640
19,600
a. 12/. No production was reported for the other republics.
Except for 1960, figures are officially announced Soviet sta-
tistics and have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Fig-
ures for 1960 have been rounded to three significant digits.
b. The total production planned for 1960 was announced.
Other figures are estimates based on reported plans that the
volume of production in 1960, in terms of 1955, will be as
follows: the Armenian SSR, 1.6 times; the Estonian SSR,
4 times; the Georgian SSR, 8 times; Kazakh SSR, 2 times;
the Latvian SSR, 1.4 times; the Ukrainian SSR; 2 times; and
Uzbek SSR, 1.9 times. New fertilizer plants are planned for
construction in Azerbaydzhan SSR and Turkmen SSR and will
probably contribute to the total production in 1960. 11/
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
The economic regions which produced about 73 percent of the
total production of mineral fertilizers in 1955 were the Central
(VII), the Urals (VIII)) and the South (III). Production of mineral
fertilizers in the USSR, by economic region, in 1955 is shown in
Table 4.
Table 4
Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR
by Economic Region it/
1955
Region 12/
Amount 2/
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
Percent
(North and Northwest)
508
5
II (West)
475
5
III (South)
2,728
28
IV (Southeast)
(Transcaucasus)
220
2
VI (Volga)
0
0
VII (Central)
1,702
18
VIII (Urals)
2,623
27
IX (West Siberia)
4o4
4
Xa (Kazakhstan)
346
4
Xb (Central Asia)
634
7
XI (East Siberia)
XII (Far East)
Total
9,6U0
loo
1" 12/
b. The term region refers to the economic regions
50X1
c. Reported figures have been rounded to the
nearest thousand tons.
- 12 -
S-E -C-R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7 - - -
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E -C -R-E -T
B. Trade.
1. With the Free World.
Reported Soviet trade in mineral fertilizers with the
Free World in 1955 consisted of imports of nitrogen fertilizers from
Japan and West Germany; exports of nitrogeh fertilizers to Afghanistan,
Egypt, Finland, and the Netherlands; exports of superphosphate to
Afghanistan; and exports of potassium fertilizers to Finland. Plans
were made to export nitrogen fertilizers to Yugoslavia as well. The
reported Soviet trade in mineral fertilizers with the Free World in
1955 is shown in Table 5.*
2. With the Sino-Soviet Bloc.
The reported Soviet trade in mineral fertilizers with the
Sino-Soviet Bloc in 1955 consisted of imports of nitrogen fertilizers
from East Germany; exports of nitrogen fertilizers to North Korea; and
exports of superphosphates to Bulgaria, East Germany, North Korea,
North Vietnam, and Rumania. The reported Soviet trade in mineral fer-
tilizers with other countries of the Sino-Soviet Bloc in 1955 is shown
in Table 6.**
In addition, the USSR exports apatite concentrate, but
this material is not suitable for use as a fertilizer unless chemi-
cally converted.
3. Total.
In 1955 the USSR exported 30,300 tons of superphosphate,
32,200 tons of nitrogen fertilizers, and 90 tons of potassium ferti-
lizers and imported 27,200 tons of nitrogen fertilizers. Net exports,
therefore) amounted to 30,300 tons of superphosphate, 5)000 tons of
?
nitrogen fertilizers, and 90 tons of potassium fertilizers. The
amount involved in trade in 1955 is so small (0.3 percent of total
production) that it is disregarded as a factor in the over-all supply
of mineral fertilizers. The total supply of mineral fertilizers in
the USSR in 1955, therefore, is considered equal to the total produc-
tion of about 9.64 million tons.
* Table 5 follows on p. 14.
** Table 6 follows on p. 15.
-13-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R -E -T
Table 5
Soviet Trade in Mineral Fertilizers with the Free World
1955
Metric Tons
Country
Nitrogen
Potassium
Superphosphate
Exports
Afghanistan12/
500
N.A.
1,000
Egypt 2/
8,660
N.A.
N.A.
Finland di
8,960
90
0
Netherlands 2/
3,500
N.A.
N.A.
Yugoslavia
1/
N.A.
N.A.
Total
21,60g
90
1,000
Imports
Japan E./
3,060
N.A.
N.A.
West Germany hi
12,400
N.A.
N.A.
Total
15,400
N.A.
N.A.
a. Figures include reported shipments of identifiable
types of prepared mineral fertilizers but exclude ship-
ments of phosphate ores and concentrates. All figures have
been rounded to three significant digits. Totals were de-
rived independently from unrounded figures and do not al-
ways agree with the sum of the rounded components.
b. .31/
d. 35/
e.
f. Exports totaling 20,000 tons were planned. IL/
g., 18j
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R -E -T
Table 6
Soviet Trade in Mineral Fertilizers with Other Countries
of the Sino-Soviet Bloc 2/
1955
Metric Tons
Country
Exports
Bulgaria
East Germany 2/
North Korea di
North Vietnam 2/
Rumania 1/
Nitrogen Superphosphate
N.A.
N.A.
10,600
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
9,820
10,000
9,500
N.A.
Total 10 ,600 29,300
Imports
East Germany I/ 11,700 0
Total 11,700 0
a. Figures include reported shipments of identifiable
types of prepared mineral fertilizers but exclude ship-
ments of phosphate ores and concentrates. ALI figures
have been rounded to three significant digits. Totals
were derived independently from unrounded figures and
do not always agree with the sums of the rounded com-
ponents.
b. IFc. 1
d. 2
e. 3
f .
g?
- 15 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
III. Distribution.
A. By Crop.
In the USSR, cotton consumes more mineral fertilizers than
any other crop. In recent years) mineral fertilizers have been
applied at an average rate of 8 centners per hectare (about 330 pounds
per acre) on the irrigated land sown to cotton. Both nitrogen and
phosphorus fertilizers are required on all the main producing lands
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan, and the Transcaucasus. Potassium ferti-
lizers are not widely used in these regions because the soils contain
assimilable potassium) but potassium fertilizers are required in small
amounts to get yields above 25 centners per hectare (about 1,100 pounds
per acre). The best types of fertilizers for cotton are granulated
ammonium nitrate, granulated superphosphate, and precipitate. 47/
Sugar beets are the second largest consumer of mineral ferti-
lizers in the USSR) although the amount of fertilizer used for this
crop in recent years has not been reported. All types of mineral
fertilizers may be used for sugar beets, but the preferred potassium
fertilizer is a mixture of potassium chloride and 30 to ho percent
potassium salt, and the preferred nitrogen fertilizer is sodium ni-
trate. IS
The Fourth Five Year Plan (1946-50) called for a supply of
mineral fertilizers sufficient for the fertilization of industrial
crops (cotton, flax, hemp, sugar beets, rubber bearing plants, tobacco,
tea, and citrus fruits)) as well as a large supply for other crops,
especially potatoes and vegetables.112/ It appears that these goals
were realized at least in part by 1953 because the Minister of the
Chemical Industry stated:
The achieved level of production of mineral ferti-
lizers supplies more or less sufficient amounts for the
sowing of basic industrial crops -- cotton, sugar beets,
tea) and others. Mineral fertilizers are still produced
In small amounts for the sowing of food crops. a)./
Grain, potatoes, and vegetables almost certainly will receive
a greater proportion of the supply of fertilizer than in the past.
production of phosphorus fertilizer will con- 50X1
tinue to consist principally of superphosphate, which is the most
suitable fertilizer for use on large areas sown to grain. 21/ The
-16-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E -C-R -E-T
fertilization of grain on a large scale will place heavy demands on
the supply of fertilizer. If a minimum of only 0.5 centner per hec-
tare (about 22 pounds per acre) had been applied in 1955, 6.5 million
tons of superphosphate would have been required to fertilize the total
area sown to grain.
In 1955, mineral fertilizers apparently were available in
amounts sufficient for the fertilization of basic industrial crops and
for the partial fertilization of grain, potatoes, and vegetables. The
estimated distribution of mineral fertilizers, by crop, in the USSR in
1955 and 1960 is shown in Table 7.*
In 1955, about 50 percent by weight of the total supply of
.mineral fertilizers was used on the principal industrial crops (cotton,
sugar beets, flax, and hemp). By 1960 the share used on these crops
will drop to an estimated 33 percent of the total, leaving a greater
proportion of the supply for application to grain, potatoes, vegetables,
and other crops.
B. By Republic.
The Plan for the distribution of mineral fertilizers to vari-
ous regions of the USSR in 1941 is the latest available complete Plan.
This Plan, together with the reported receipts of mineral fertilizers
by Azerbaydzhan SSR and the republics of Central Asia, was used to esti-
mate the distribution of mineral fertilizers, by organization and by
republic, which is shown in Table 8.**
In compiling Tables 7 and 8, it has been assumed that all of
the mineral fertilizers produced in 1955 were distributed to agricul-
ture. There has been evidence, however, that sizable losses of fer-
tilizers occur during shipment and storage, and thus the amounts ac-
tually used on crops were considerably smaller. Such losses, which
occur in the loading and unloading of railroad cars, during storage in
open areas, and during haulage to the points of use, result primarily
from deterioration due to rain. In several areas the losses have
amounted to 15 to 25 percent of the total quantity allocated to agri-
culture. .22/
* Table 7 follows on p. 18.
** Table 8 follows on p. 19.
-17-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 7
Estimated Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR, by Crop 12./
1955 and 1960
Crop
Nitrogen 2/
Potassium 2/
Phosphorus 1/
Total
-Percent of
Total
1955
1960
1955 1960
1955 1960
1955
1960
Thousand Metric Tons
1955
1960
Cotton
Sugar beets
Flax
Hemp
Potatoes and vegetables
Grain and other
Total
922
515
289
288
124
842
2,980
1,050
585
371
293
3,000
5,300
0
211
178
128
94
1,290
1,900
0
240
228
130
2,10o
2,700
920
753
396
1,040?
856
.5o8
241
.
0,15o
8,800
1,840
1,48o
863
653
636
,
4,170
9,6140
2,090
1,68o
1,110
664
11,3oo
16,800
19.1
15.3
9.0
6.8
6.6
43.2
100.0
12.5
10.0
6.6
3.9
67.0
100.0
237
418
2,040
14,760
a. For methodology, see Appendix D. All figures were rounded to three significant digits.
Totals were derived independently from unrounded figures and do not always agree with the sums
of the rounded components.
b. In terms of 20.5 percent N (nitrogen)..
c. In terms of 41.6 percent K20 (potassium oxide).
d. Includes all phosphorus fertilizers. Phosphorite meal is in terms of 19 percent P205 (phos-
phorus pentoxide) and all other phosphorus fertilizers are in terms of 18.7 percent P205.
-18-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -E -T
Table 8
Estimated Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR
by Organization and by Republic fy
1955
Ministry or
Coadasariat
I!itrogt !il
Potassium Si
Planphorus
Phosphorite Meal 5/
Total
Amount
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
Percent
of Total.
Amount
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
Percent
of Total
Amount
(Thousand
Metric Tons
Percent
of Total
Amount
(Thousand
Metric Tons)
Percent
of Total.
Amount
(Thousand
Metric Tons
Percent
of Total
Agriculture
RSFS11
123
14.2
623
32.8
667
17.4
482
524
2,195
22.8
Armenian SSR
36
1.2
9
0.5
23
o.6
0
68
0.7
Azerbaydzhan SSR
105
3.5
8
0.4
109
2.8
0
222
2.3
Belorussian Sn sf
45
1.5
I06
5.6
50
1.3
50
.7
091
3.0
Estonian SSR
39
1.3
32
1.7
96
2.5
167
1.7
Georgian SSR
107
3.6
27
1.4
73
1.9
1
.7
223
2.3
Korelo-Finnish SW
3
0.1
2
0.1
4
0.1
9
0.1
Kazakh SSR d
83
2.8
17
0.9
69
1.8
169
1.8
Kirghiz WE
65
2.2
11
o.6
87
2.3
163
1.7
Latvian SSA
125
4.2
70
3.7
241
6.3
436
4.5
Lithuanian SSR
39
1.3
55
2.9
172
4.5
266
2.8
Moldavian SSR
9'
0.3
8
.3.4
15
o.4
32
0.3
Tadzik SSR
71
2.4
9
0.5
76
2.0
156
1.6
Turimert SSR
115
3.8
11
0.6
116
3.0
242
2.5
Ukrainian 682
420
16.1
1.54
23.9
712
18.6
200
2
.7
1,846
19.2
Uzbek SSP
803
26.9
63
3.3
840
21.9
1,706
17.7
Experimental use
18
o.6
48
2.5
19
0.5
?5
90
0.9
Total
2a
M.o
LIU
811
IS
ai
III
12,2
6261
112,2
Food Industry.
191
6.1
139
7.3
188
4.9
17
x.8
535
5.6
Meat gni Dairy Industry
15
0.5
42
2.2
31
0.8
32
3.5
120
1.2
State Farms
124
6.5
141
7.4
215
5.6
77
8.3
627
6.5
Other organizations
18
o.6
25
1.3
31
0.8
5
0.5
79
0.6
Grand total
lin
1C0 0
La!
ioo.o
2,24
ico.o
t
ico.o
2,E42
100.0
?. For methodology, see Appendix D.
b. In terms of 20.5 cement (nitrogen).
c. In terms of 41.6 percent K20 (potassium oxide).
d. In terms of 18.7 percent P205 (phosphorus pentoxide).
e. In terms of 19 Percent P735?
f. In 1953 the consumption of mineral fertilizers in Belorussia reportedly amounted to 331.000 tons. 11/
g. In 1953 the consumption of mineral fertilizers on the kolkhozes of Kazakh SW amounted to 119,203 tons, divided as foliose nitrogen,
54,200 tons; potassium, 3.703 tons; and superphosphate, 61,3:0 tons. 2,
- 19 -
-E -C -ft -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
IV. Prices.*
A comparison of the prices of selected mineral fertilizers in the
USSR and in the US in 1955 is shown in Table 9. Ruble-dollar ratios
for fertilizers range from about 4 rubles to US $1 to nearly 9 rubles
to US $1.
Comparison
Table 9
of Prices of Selected Mineral Fertilizers
in the USSR and in the US
1955
Type
USSR
(Rubles per
Metric Ton) 2/
US
(Dollars per Ruble-Dollar
Metric Ton) 2/ Ratio
Ammonium nitrate
430
74.94
5.7 to 1
Ammonium sulfate
250
46.28
5.4 to 1
Superphosphate
161
18.45
8.7 to 1
Potassium chloride
95
22.57
4.2 to 1
a. Prices shown are f.o.b. factory.
b. Z./
The factory prices of fertilizers are relatively low in the USSR;
the average ruble-dollar ratio for all chemicals in 1955 was between
10 rubles to US $1 and 15 rubles to US $1. The low relative prices
reflect) in part, a level of technology and a scale of production which
approach those in the US.
It is difficult to interpret small variations in ruble-dollar ra-
tios from one chemical to another, but the ruble-dollar ratio of nearly
9 to 1 for superphosphate suggests that this is a high-cost fertilizer
in the USSR. Although its high cost may result from a number of factors,
the inordinately high cost of transporting raw materials is probably
* For methodology, see Appendix D.
- 20-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C-R-E -T
most influential. Most of the ore is shipped by rail from the Kola
Peninsula, the source of 85 percent of the phosphate ore used in the
Soviet superphosphate industry,* over a long distance to the plants
producing fertilizers in other regions. In the US, by contrast, most
of the superphosphate plants are located at or near the important phos-
phate mines in Florida or along the eastern seaboard, thus taking ad-
vantage of the low costs of transportation by water. 2//
The factory or list prices shown for the USSR in Table 9 may not
always be the actual selling prices, for Soviet writers have referred
to preferential prices accorded to agriculture. 2?/ The stated purpose
of this price policy is to stimulate the use of mineral fertilizers in
agriculture. 22/ Incentives to use fertilizers may be strengthened by
offering discount price to offset the adverse effect of the low prices
paid for agricultural products. As one Soviet expert on prices has
stated, "the increase in income from the application of fertilizers
must exceed the outlays for these purposes." .?2/ Although the precise
application and the importance of preferential pricing are not known,
discounts probably are granted on a selective basis to compensate for
relatively low prices paid for agricultural products.
V. Inputs.
Estimates of the major inputs required for production of 9.64 mil-
lion tons of mineral fertilizers in the USSR in 1955 are shown in Ta-
ble 10.**
The estimated Soviet supply of the materials required for produc-
tion of mineral fertilizers in 1955 was sufficient to satisfy the re-
quirements for inputs. In 1955 the USSR produced about 3.8 million'
tons of sulfuric acid, about 1.5 million tons of nitric acid, about
753,000 tons of synthetic ammonia, and about 170 billion kilowatt-
hours (kwh) of electricity. ?.2/ Thus, in 1955 the mineral fertilizer
Industry consumed about 45 percent of the sulfuric acid, 73 percent of
the nitric acid, 85 percent of the synthetic ammonia, and 2 percent of
the electricity produced in the USSR. Although the amounts of phos-
phate rock and potassium salts produced in the USSR in 1955 are not
known, the reserves are huge and could easily have provided the quan-
tities required for fertilizers in 1955. These reserves are also con-
sidered ample for the future production of mineral fertilizers as given
in existing Plans.
* For methodology, see Appendix D.
** Table 10 follows on p. 22.
- 21-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 10
Estimates of the Inputs Required to Manufacture Mineral Fertilizers
in the USSR E/
1955 .
Input
Apatite concentrate
Phosphorite ore
Potassium salts (crude)
Sulfuric acid
(100 percent H2SO4)
Nitric acid
(100 percent HNO3)
Ammonia 2/
Steam.
Electricity 1/
Unit Amount
Million MT hi
Million MT
Million MT
Million MT
Million MT
Million MT
Million MT
Billion kwh 2/
1.65
1.28
5.70
1.73
1.11
0.64
3.78
3.36
a. For methodology, see Appendix D.
b. Metric tons.
c. Excludes byproduct ammonia for ammonium sulfate fertilizers but
includes ammonia required for the manufacture of nitric acid used for
fertilizers.
d. Includes the power required to produce the ammonia needed for
the manufacture-of nitric acid used for fertilizers.
e. Kilowatt-hours.
VI. Future Expansion.
A. General.
One of the chief tasks of the chemical industry as set forth
In the Sixth Five Year Plan is to increase production of the chemical
products needed for raising the yields of agricultural crops. Accord-
ing to the Plan, production of mineral fertilizers in 1960 is scheduled
to reach 19.6 million tons, or 204 percent of production in 1955. _6_3/
This goal for the Sixth Five Year Plan is consistent with the long-
range goal for production of 28 million to 30 million tons of mineral
- 22 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E -C -R-E -T
fertilizers in 1964.* There is considerable doubt whether either goal
will be attained. This conclusion is based on the past performance
of the industry, the reported increase in production of 13 percent in
1956, and the planned increase of only 6.5 percent in 1957.
It is estimated tentatively that 16.8 million tons of mineral
fertilizers will be produced in 1960. If production were to reach
this level the increase over production in 1955 would be 75 percent, the
same rate of increase achieved between 1950 and 1955.
An increase in production from 9.6 million tons of mineral
fertilizers in 1955 to 16.8 million tons in 1960 will provide an in-
crease of 7.2 million tons in the amount available for agricultural
crops. The full impact of this increased amount of mineral fertili-
zers on the yields of agricultural crops cannot be accurately assessed
because of a number of complex variables, such as the type of soil,
the type of crop, the extent of fertilization, the amount of rainfall,
and the efficiency of distribution of mineral fertilizers from the pro-
ducing plants to the fields.
mineral fertilizers are produced in sufficient amounts for the ferti-
lization of industrial crops in the USSR. Because the acreage sched-
uled to be sown to these crops in 1960 is not significantly larger
than in 1955, these crops will probably require only a small portion
of the additional 7.2 million tons of mineral fertilizers which it is
estimated will be available in 1960. A large part of this additional
amount, therefore, will be available for the increased fertilizatipn
of other crops, principally grain, potatoes, and vegetables.
The estimated production of mineral fertilizers, by type, in
1956-60 and planned production in 1960 are shown in Table 11.**
B. Nitrogen.
It is estimated that production of nitrogen fertilizers in
1960 will be 2.3 million tons greater than in 1955. This increase
will consist of about 270,000 tons of ammonium sulfate (the byproduct
of coke) and about 2 million tons of other nitrogen fertilizers)
chiefly ammonium nitrate but also potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate,
calcium-ammonium nitrate, liquid ammonia, and ammoniates.
* This goal was announced by Khrushchev at the Party Plenum in
September 1953.
** Table 11 follows on p. 24.
-23-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 11
Estimated and Planned Production of Mineral Fertilizers in the USSR
by Typeell
1956-60
Million Metric Tons
Year
Nitrogen 12/
Potassium
Phosphorus 1/
Phosphorite
Meal 2/
Total
1956
3.4
2.2
4.3
1.0
10.9
1957
3.6
2.3
4.6
1.1
11.6
1958
4.1
2.4
5.2
1.4
13.1
1959
4.7
2.5
5.9
1.7
14.8
1960
5.3
2.7
6.6
2.2
16.8
1960 f/
6.2
3.0
7.7
2.7
19.6
a. For methodology, see Appendix D.
b. In terms of 20.5 percent N (nitrogen).
c. In terms of 41.6 percent 1(20 (potassium oxide).
d. In terms of 18.7 percent P205 (phosphorus pentoxide).
e. In terms of 19 percent P205.
f. Plan figures. Lil
A large nitrogen fertilizer plant is being constructed at
Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol'skiy Kray, RSFSR, and production of ammonium
and sodium nitrate is scheduled to begin in 1959. 62/ In Central Asia
the expansion of production of nitrogen fertilizers is planned at the
Stalin Electrochemical Combine in Chirchik. In addition, a new nitro-
gen fertilizer plant, with a projected capacity exceeding that of the
plant in Chirchik, is being constructed in Angren.
C. Potassium.
The USSR has adequate deposits of potassium ores to satisfy
the greater demands imposed by an increase of 800,000 tons in produc-
tion of potassium fertilizers. Expansion may continue to be hampered,
however, by the lack of mining equipment needed for the extraction of
the ore. The expansion of the coal, iron, and electric Tower indus-
tries will place increased demands on the economy for this same equip-
ment, and the shortage of excavators, drills, and transporting equip-
ment may continue.
- 21+ -
S -E -C-R-E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
-E -C-R-E -T
The various types of potassium fertilizers scheduled for pro-
duction include potassium chloride, kainite, kalimag, and concentrated
sylvinite. Production of potassium sulfate in the western Ukraine will
be expanded to provide a chlorine-free potassium fertilizer that is
required for certain agricultural crops such as tobacco, grapes, pota-
toes, and citrus fruits. A large part of the planned increase
probably will be produced at the Voroshilov Potassium Combine in Berez-
niki, where a second production section probably will be built.
D. Phosphorus.
The phosphorus fertilizers scheduled for production in 1960 in-
clude superphosphate, precipitate, double superphosphate, ammofos, de-
fluorinated phosphates, and metallurgical slags. The estimated produc-
tion of phosphorus fertilizers in 1960 will be 2.8 million tons greater
than in 1955. Most of the estimated increase will be in the form of
superphosphate. Superphosphate plants are planned or are under con-
struction in Azerbaydzhan SSR, the Belorussian SSR, the Estonian SSR,
the Lithuanian SSR, and Turkmen SSR. The first large plant for pro-
duction of fluorine-free phosphates from apatite concentrate will soon
start operating, and installation of a plant for production of double
superphosphate is reported under way. gj
E. Phosphorite Meal.
The deposits of phosphate rock in the USSR are ample to satis-
fy the greater demands placed by an increase of 1.3 million tons in
production of phosphorite meal. As in the case of potassium fertilizer,
the expansion of production may continue to be hampered by the lack
of mining equipment. The construction of new facilities is planned or
Is in progress at Tallinn, Estonian SSR, and at Marusinsk, Tambovskaya
Oblast, RSFSR. ,?1:1 Under the Sixth Five Year Plan the extraction of
phosphorite ore from the Kara-Tau deposits is scheduled to be doubled. /2/
VII. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions.
A. Capabilities.
In order to fulfill the goal of the Sixth Five Year Plan for
mineral fertilizers, production in 1960 will have to reach 19.6.million
tons, or 204 percent of production in 1955. Fulfillment of this Plan
Is possible; but on the basis of the record of the industry during
1950-56 and of the Plan for 1957, it is estimated tentatively that
-25-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S -E -C -R-E -T
production in 1960 will not exceed 16.8 million tons, or 175 percent
of production in 1955.
The chronic 'shortage of mining equipment probably will con-
tribute significantly to the failure of the Sixth Five Year Plan.
Increased demands for this type of equipment by industries carrying
higher priorities (coal, iron, and electric power) are expected to
result in a shortage of mining equipment in the fertilizer industry
and thus in the underfulfillment of the goals for production of
phosphorite meal and potassium fertilizers. Possible failures in
achieving the increases planned in production of ammonia and sulfuric
acid, shortages of which have been reported recently, also may con-
tribute to the failure of the Plan, as would a shortage of corrosion-
resistant materials and special equipment required for the construc-
tion of plants for production of phosphoric acid, which is needed for
production of concentrated phosphorus fertilizer. In recent years
these materials have been reported to be scarce in the USSR.
B. Vulnerabilities.
The mineral fertilizer industry is self-sufficient in raw ma-
terials and has no significant economic vulnerabilities which could
be exploited from outside the USSR. The outstanding weakness of the
industry is its dependence on the apatite deposits of the Kola Penin-
sula for phosphorus fertilizers. This situation results in high costs
for the transportation of raw material and requires the use of much
railroad equipment that is needed elsewhere. It is estimated that
1.65 million tons of apatite concentrate were shipped in 1955 from
the Kola Peninsula to many regions of the USSR for the manufacture
of superphosphate. New methods of utilizing local deposits of phos-
phorite may alleviate the problem of transportation) but the isolated
location of the deposits of high-grade apatite on the Kola Peninsula
precludes the possibility of entirely eliminating this weakness.
-26-
S -E -C -R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
- 27 -
S-E-C'-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T:
APPENDIX A
TYPES OF MINERAL FERTILIZERS IN THE USSR
Mineral fertilizers may be classified into simple fertilizers,
which contain only one nutrient element, and multiple fertilizers,
which contain two or more nutrient elements. Multiple fertilizers
may be divided into mixed and complex fertilizers. Mixed fertilizers
are prepared by the mechanical mixing of various fertilizers, and
complex fertilizers are those in which the nutrient elements are
chemically bound either by fusion or by crystallization.
The nutrient elements in fertilizers that promote the growth of
plants include nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, boron, copper, and
others. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus fertilizers are the
most important types. .Microfertilizers, which contain boron, copper,
manganese, and other elements needed by plants in small amounts, are
less important types.
1. Simple Fertilizers.
a. Nitrogen.
The principal nitrogen fertilizer used in the USSR is
ammonium nitrate, which is produced by the reaction between ammonia
and nitric acid. Ammonium nitrate is used also in military high
explosives, which may explain partially the Soviet preference for ?
developing this type of nitrogen fertilizer. According to the "per-
spective plan" for the nitrogen industry, production of ammonium ni-
trate will constitute 77 percent of the total production of nitrogen
fertilizers. /2/
Ammonium nitrate is a concentrated fertilizer that con-
tains about 35 percent nitrogen, is highly hygroscopic) and has a
tendency to cake. These physical properties, however) may be im-
proved by granulation. Production of noncaking annonium nitrate in-
creased from 49.8 percent of the total in 1950 to 68.1 percent of
the total in 1955. /2/ All ammonium nitrate intended for use as a
fertilizer was to be produced in granulated form in 1956. DI/
Ammonium sulfate was the other important nitrogen fer-
tilizer produced in the USSR in 1955. This fertilizer contains about
- 29 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
21 percent nitrogen and is produced in the USSR mainly by the reaction
between sulfuric acid andammonia from coke gases.
A widely used fertilizer in the USSR is a simple mixture
or fusion mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate. Depend-
ing on the method of production, this mixture is called Leuna salt-
peter (a mechanical mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate)
or Montan saltpeter (the product manufactured by the reaction between
ammonia and mixed nitric and sulfuric acids). Each of these mixtures
contains 25 to 27 percent nitrogen, cakes less, and is less explosive
than simple ammonium nitrate.
Nitrogen fertilizers that are believed to have been pro-
duced on a relatively small scale or that are planned for future pro-
duction in the USSR include the following:
(1) Sodium nitrate containing 16 to 17 percent nitrogen
is produced by the absorption of residual nitrous oxide gases (at
nitric acid plants) in a solution of soda ash or caustic soda. The
shortage of soda will limit further increases in production of this
fertilizer. /.6./ A few deposits of natural sodium nitrate occur in
Central Asia, in the Caucasus, and in the Crimea, but these deposits
have no commercial importance. 22/ Sodium nitrate is particularly
effective in the USSR for sugar beets; it has been estimated that the
increase in the yield of sugar beets from the use of sodium nitrate
is 4o percent higher than from the use of other nitrogen fertilizers.
(2) Calcium cyanamide containing 18 to 24 percent nitrogen
is produced by the reaction between nitrogen and calcium carbide. Al-
though it is a good fertilizer, calcium cyanamide is produced on a lim-
ited scale in the USSR and is used chiefly for industrial purposes And
also as a defoliant for cotton. 12/
(3) Urea containing 46 to 47 percent nitrogen is produced
by the synthesis of ammonia and carbon dioxide at high pressure and
temperature. At present, urea is used chiefly as an intermediate
product for industrial purposes, ?.2/ but large-scale production in
the future probably will lead to its use as a fertilizer.
(4) Calcium nitrate, which is important as an alkaline
form of nitrogen fertilizer, is produced by many methods. By one
process, calcium nitrate is produced together with precipitate by
the decomposition of phosphates with nitric acid. One ton of pre-
cipitate and two tons of calcium nitrate are produced from one ton
-30 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
of apatite concentrate. By another process, calcium nitrate is pro-
duced together with nitrophoska. One ton of apatite concentrate can
be used to produce 2.5 tons of nitrophoska and 1.4 tons of calcium
nitrate., Calcium nitrate contains 13 to 15 percent nitrogen and is
particularly effective on acid soil. Li
(5) Calcium-ammonium nitrate is ammonium nitrate that has
been neutralized by fusion with limestone. The continued use of am-
monium nitrate or ammonium sulfate on the acid soil of the podzolic
zones, which make up about one-third of the sown lands in the USSR,
leads to an increased soil acidity and a decrease in the harvest.
Calcium-ammonium nitrate is a valuable nitrogen fertilizer for acid
soil. El.5g/
- b. Potassium.
The natural deposits of potassium salts located in the
northern Urals at Solikamsk and in the Ukrainian SSR at Kalush and
Stebnik are the principal sources of potassium fertilizers in the
USSR. The deposits at Solikamsk are the most important and occur
In the form of sylvinite and carnallite. Sylvinite is a complex
salt consisting of sodium and potassium chlorides, whereas carnallite
contains magnesium chloride in addition to sodium and potassium
chlorides. The deposits in the western part of the Ukrainian SSR
occur in the form of kainite and langbeinite. Kainite is a complex
salt consisting of potassium chloride and magnesium sulfate, whereas
langbeinite consists chiefly of potassium sulfate and magnesium
sulfates. The latter salt is of particular importance for the prepa-
ration of chlorine-free-potassium fertilizers, such as kalimag, which
are especially suitable for certain crops. Other deposits of potas-
sium Salt have been discovered in the Ukrainian SSR and in the
southern Volga (VI), the Central Asia (Kb), and the Central (VII)
Regions of the USSR. ?3/ At present, however, these deposits have
no commercial importance.
The principal forms of potassium fertilizers produced in
the USSR are potassium chloride (6o percent K20 -- potassium oxide),
mixed salt (4o percent 1(20)? kainite (10 to 11 percent K20), and
kalimag (17 percent K20). The first two forms are produced from
the deposits at Solikamsk and constitute the greater portion of pro-
duction of potassium fertilizers. Kainite and kalimag are produced
from the deposits in the western Ukrainian SSR. High-quality sulfate
forms of potassium fertilizers (50 percent 1(20) are produced in small
amounts.
-31-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E7T
c. Phosphorus.
Phosphorus is an important nutrient element needed for
the growth and development of plants. A deficiency of assimilable
phosphorus in the soil causes poor development of plants, a delay
in flowering and ripening) and poor yields. Although the supply
in the soil is generally considerable, phosphorus usually exists in
a form that cannot be assimilated by plants. The nutrient value of
a phosphorus fertilizer depends on its content of assimilable P205
(phosphorus pentoxide). Phosphorus fertilizers are classified into
three types: the water-soluble type, from which the P205 can be
assimilated easily by the plant; the water-insoluble type, from
which the P205 is assimilated slowly by the plant; and the citrate-
soluble type, from which the P205 is assimilated at a speed inter-
mediate between that of the water-soluble and the water-insoluble
types.* '
At present) phosphorus fertilizers, including phosphorite
meal, constitute about one-half of total production of mineral fer-
tilizers in the USSR and will probably continue to do so. Among the
phosphorus fertilizers produced in 1955 the most important were super-
phosphate and phosphorite meal. These two fertilizers, particularly
superphosphate, will be the predominant types in the future. 1132/
Superphosphate, the principal phosphorus fertilizer pro-
duced in the USSR, may be used on many different soils and crops.
This fertilizer is produced by the decomposition of phosphate rock
with sulfuric acid, is a water-soluble type, has a P205 content
ranging from 14 to 20 percent, has low hygroscopicity, and is easily
stored. The preferred raw material is apatite concentrate, although
phosphorite or a mixture of phosphorite and apatite concentrate may
be used.
The agrochemical properties of superphosphate may be im-
proved by granulation. The resulting granulated superphosphate has
a higher assimilable P205 content and does not cake or dust. Although
* Fertilizers of the water-insoluble type may be used effectively
only in podzolic) acid soil where the acid content of the soil can
slowly break down the chemical structure of the fertilizer to release
the P205. Fertilizers of the citrate-soluble type may be used on all
kinds of soil, but are of particular value on the acid soil of the
northern USSR.
-32-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
45 percent of the superphosphate produced in 1955 was scheduled to
be in granulated form, only 22 percent of the superphosphate supplied
to the kolkhozes was of this type. fig According to the Plan, 6o
percent of the superphosphate produced in 1958 is to be in granulated
form. ,21/
Phosphorite meal is the second most important type of
phosphorus fertilizer produced in the USSR. Production in 1955 was
reported to amount to about 20 percent of the total production of'
phosphorus fertilizers. Li.81
Phosphorite meal is produced by the grinding of phos-
phorite ores or concentrates, and is used for direct application
to the soil and for the preparation of other fertilizers. Since
1951 it has been produced in three grades with a P205 content rang-
ing from 19 to 25 percent. ?2/ It is a water-insoluble fertilizer
and, as a direct fertilizer, is effective on podzolic, leached, and
acid soils. It is applied to the northern soils on which rye, wheat,
and sugar beets are cultivated. 90/ The widespread deposits of phos-
phorite in the USSR and the low cost of manufacture ensure the in-
creased production of this fertilizer.
Production of concentrated phosphorus fertilizers* is
scheduled to reach 1 million tons in 1960. 21/ The advantages of
concentrated phosphorus fertilizers over normal superphosphate in-
clude the following:
(1) The cost is less for transporting, loading and
unloading, packaging, storing, and application in the fields.
(2) It is possible to use low-concentrate phosphorite
mixed with apatite concentrate as a raw material. Such a raw material
generally cannot be used to produce superphosphate.
(3) In many cases the concentrated phosphorus fer-
tilizers are more effective than superphosphate. For example, pre-
cipitate is more effective than superphosphate on acid soil and on
chernozem.
* Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers include double superphosphate,
precipitate, ammofos, and defluorinated phosphates.
-33-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7 ,
S-E-C-R-E-T
Phosphorus fertilizers that are believed to have been pro-
duced on a relatively small scale in 1955 or that are scheduled for
future production in the USSR include the following:
(1) Double superphosphate containing 45 to 50 percent
P205 is prepared by the decomposition of natural phosphates with phos-
phoric acid. In the order of importance of phosphorus fertilizers,
double superphosphate will compete with precipitate for third
place. 92/ A plant to produce double superphosphate is reported to
be under construction. 21/
(2) Precipitate, or dicalcium pbosphate, containing
27 to 4o percent P205 in a citrate-soluble form may be produced from
phosphoric acid or from water-soluble phosphates produced by the
action of nitric acid or hydrochloric acid on natural phosphates.
These acid solutions are neutralized with lime or an alkali, and
dicalcium phosphate is precipitated and separated. Production of
precipitate, together with calcium nitrate, by the conversion of
apatite concentrate with nitric acid, was mastered in 1955 at an
experimental installation at the nitrogen fertilizer plant in
Dneprodzerzhinsk. 21?/
Precipitate was produced in the USSR before World
War II, but there is no evidence of large-scale production in the post-
war years. Eventually, the scale of production of precipitate is
scheduled to be about the same as that of double superphosphate. 22/
(3) MetallurgiCal phosphate slags, which are produced
during the conversion of phosphoric pig iron by the Martin or the
Thomas process, may be used on all types of soil, but their effective-
ness varies. Such slags are more effective than superphosphate on
acid soil but less effective than superphosphate on neutral chernozem.
Before World War II, Thomas slag was produced in
the USSR at the plant in Kerch' at a rate of 90,000 tons per year.
In recent years the conversion of phosphorus pig iron has been con-
ducted in Martin furnaces. 2.6./ A shop was constructed at the
Azovstall Plant near Zhdanov for production of 340,000 tons of fer-
tilizer annually, and the equipment was being tested in 1955. 7
It is probable that production of this material in 1955 was small
but that it will gain in importance. It has been claimed that the
USSR has the potential to produce 10 million tons of Thomas steel,
which would yield 1.8 million tons of phosphate fertilizers, by the
end of the Seventh Five Year Plan (1961-65). 01
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
(4) Thermophosphates containing about 27 to 30 per-
cent P205 are produced by the fusion of natural phosphates with
alkaline salts (soda ash or alkaline sulfates). In 1954, 300 tons
of thermophosphates were produced by heating the Kara-Tau phos-
phorites with sodium sulfate from the Aral Sea. 99/ Future produc-
tion of this type of fertilizer may take place near the deposits of
sodium sulfate located in the Central Region, in Kazakhstan (Xa),
and in Altayskiy Kray of East Siberia (XI). 100/
(5) Fluorine-free phosphate fertilizers are produced
by the treatment of natural phosphates with steam at a high tempera-
ture and are characterized by the small amount of fluorine contained
In the product (0.1 to 0.3 percent). The first Soviet factory for
the commercial production of these fertilizers soon will start opera-
tion. 121/
d. Microfertilizers.
In addition to the basic plant nutrients, nitrogen, phos-
phorus, and potassium, microfertilizers are used for increasing the
harvest. Microelements (boron, copper, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum,
iodine, and others) usually are contained in plants in very small
amounts. At present the microelements boron, copper, and manganese,
are used in small amounts in microfertilizers. An expansion in pro-
duction and in the use of microfertilizers, particularly boron, is
planned. 102/
(1) Boron microfertilizers are prepared from the boron
ores in the region of Lake Inder in Kazakhstan. These fertilizers
are produced in the form of boron-superphosphate, which contains
5 to 16 percent P205 and 1.5 percent boric acid, or of boron-mag-
nesium, which contains 5 to 10 percent boric acid and 70 to 85 per-
cent magnesium sulfate. 103/ Boron microfertilizers are used on
about 100,000 hectares (about 247,000 acres) of agricultural land
in the USSR. The research investigations at the Scientific Institute
for Fertilizers and Insectofungicides noted that the minimum yearly
demands of agriculture for boron fertilizers in the next 1 to 2 years
would be about 100 tons of boron; in 1960, about 3,000 to 4,000 tons;
and in 1964, about 5,000 to 6,0010 tons.
(2) Copper fertilizers are used chiefly in the Belorussian
SSR in the form of ground pyrite cinders, which are produced as a by-
product during the manufacture of sulfuric acid and contain 0.3 to 0.8
percent copper. The rate of application is about 5 to 8 centners per
-35-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
hectare (450 to 710 pounds per acre) once every 4 to 5 years. 105/
In producing copper fertilizers, copper ores of low quality may be
used instead of pyrite.
(3) Manganese fertilizers contain 15 to 30 percent manga-
nese and are available in the form of slags which are byproducts of
the concentration of manganese ores. These fertilizers are not widely
used but are effective on winter wheat) sugar beets, corn, hemp, and
tobacco. 106/
2. Multiple Fertilizers.
a. Mixed Fertilizers.
Fertilizers can be produced in a variety of mixtures.
The principal ingredients used in the USSR for the preparation of
mixed fertilizers are superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium
sulfate, and potassium chloride. Small amounts of bone meal, phos-
phorite meal) and limestone often are added to prevent the loss of
nitrogen resulting from a combination of superphosphate and ammonium
nitrate. The following formulas are typical of Soviet mixed fer-
tilizers:
(1) Superphosphate, 47.1 percent; ammonium sulfate,
42.9 percent; and bone meal, 10 percent.
(2) Superphosphate, 58.6 percent; ammonium nitrate,
31.4 percent; and limestone, 10 percent.
(3) Superphosphate, 44.3 percent; ammonium nitrate,
23.7 percent; chloride, 20 percent; and bone meal, 12 percent.
The first two mixtures have a nitrogen-to-P205 ratio of
1 to 1; the third mixture has a nitrogen-to-P205-to-K20 ratio of
1 to 1 to 1. The recommended nitrogen-to-P205-to-K20 ratios for
various regions of the USSR are as follows: 1 to 1 to 1 or 1 to 1 to
1.5 or 1 to 1.5 to 1 or 1 to 2 to 1. 1.07/
b. Complex Fertilizers.
(1) Ammoniated superphosphates, which contain 14 to 14.5
percent P205 and about 2 percent nitrogen, are produced from the Kara-
Tau phosphorites. The process of ammoniation of superphosphate
-36-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
has been mastered in an experimental unit at the superphosphate plant
In Kokand. This process is a valuable means of improving poor physi-
cal properties of the superphosphates* and of supplying another nu-
trient element. Ammoniation is also cheaper than the process of '
granulation. It is probable that the superphosphate plants of Central
Asia and Kazakhstan will convert to production of ammoniated super-
phosphate. 108/
(2) Ammofos, which contains 47 to 48 percent assimilable
P205, and 12 to 13 percent ammonia, is produced by the saturation of
phosphoric acid with ammonia. Production of this material is
planned. 109/
(3) Potassium nitrate) which is a combined potassium
and nitrogen fertilizer containing 46.5 percent 1(20, and 13.7 per-
cent nitrogen, is produced principally by the double decomposition
of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride. This fertilizer is extremely
costly and therefore is rarely used. 110/
(4) Nitrophoskal a fertilizer containing all three nutrient
elements, is produced in many ways. One method is the fusion of am-
monium phosphate) ammonium nitrate, and potassium chloride. The
ratio of nutrients can be varied to suit different crops and soils.
In recent years this product has been considered the only triple fer-
tilizer of practical importance. 111/
(5) Sulfoammofos, which consists of ammonium sulfate and
ammonium phosphate, contains 16 to 17 percent P205 and 18 to 19 per-
cent nitrogen. This fertilizer is prepared by the decomposition of
natural phosphate with a mixture of sulfuric acid and ammonium sul-
fate.
The complex fertilizers described above consist mainly
of phosphorus-nitrogen or potassium-nitrogen compounds, and it appears
that the USSR does not plan to produce complex fertilizers containing
potassium and phosphorus. 112/
* The superphosphates produced from the Kara-Tau phosphorites are
oily, hygroscopic, and of poor dispersibility.
-37-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
APPENDIX B
MINERAL FERTILIZER FACILITIES IN THE USSR
The principal mineral fertilizer facilities in the USSR which are
subordinate to the Ministry of the Chemical Industry and which are
either in operation or planned for construction are shown in Table 12
and on the accompanyingmap.*
Table 12
Mineral Fertilizer Facilities of the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry, USSR a/
1955
Economic Region and Location Facility Product
I (North and Northwest)
II
Kirovsk
Leningrad
(West)
Klaypeda
Riga
Tallinn
III (South)
Dneprodzerzhinsk
Drogobych
Apatite Combine Apatite concentrate
Nevskiy Chemical Combine Superphosphate
Artoyas Mineral Fer-
tilizer Plant
Superphosphate Plant
Maardu Chemical Combine
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Plant
Potassium Combine
Superphosphate
Superphosphate
Phosphorite meal
Superphosphate
(planned)
Nitrogen fertilizer
Potassium fer-
50X1
tilizer
Following p. 42.
? - 39 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 12
Mineral Fertilizer Facilities of the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry, USSR
1955
(Continued)
Economic Region and Location Facility
III (South) (Continued)
Gorlovka Sergo Ordzhonikidze
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Plant
Konstantinovka Stalin Chemical Plant
Lis ichansk
Odessa
Stebnik
Sumy
Vinnitsa
IV (Southeast)
Nevinnomyssk
V (Transcaucasus)
Alaverdi
Kirovakan
Rustavi
Sumgait
Unknown
Superphosphate Plant
Potassium Combine
Superphosphate Plant
Superphosphate Plant
Nitrogen Plant
Alaverdi Chemical Plant
Myasnikyan Chemical
Combine ,
Rustavi Nitrogen Fer-
tilizer Plant
Superphosphate Plant
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Product
Nitrogen fertilizer
Superphosphate
(granulated)
Nitrogen fertilizer
Superphosphate
Potassium fer-
tilizer
Superphosphate
Superphosphate
(granulated)
Nitrogen fertilizer
(planned)
Superphosphate
Nitrogen fertilizer
Nitrogen fertilizer
Superphosphate
(planned)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 12
Mineral Fertilizer Facilities of the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry, USSR
1955
(Continued)
Economic Region and Location
VII (Central)
Dzerzhinsk
Moscow
Rudnichnyy
Shchigry
Stalinogorsk
Voskresensk
VIII (Urals)
Berezniki
Berezniki
Krasnoural'sk
Molotov
Solikamsk
IX (West Siberia)
Kemerovo
Facility
Kalinin Chemical Plant
Ryazansk-Yegor'yevsk
Mines
Vyatsko-Kamskiye Mines
Phosphorite mines
Stalin Chemical Combine
Kuybyshev Chemical
Combine
Voroshilov Chemical
Combine
Potassium Combine
Chemical Plant
Ordzhonikidze Super-
phosphate Plant
Potassium Combine
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Combine
-41-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Product
Nitrogen fertilizer,
superphosphate
Phosphorite ore
Phosphorite ore.
Phosphorite ore
Nitrogen fertilizer
Phosphorite meal,
superphosphate
(regular and
granulated)
Nitrogen fertilizer
Potassium fer-
tilizer
Superphosphate
Superphosphate
Potassium fertilizer
Nitrogen fertilizer
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 12
Mineral Fertilizer Facilities of the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry, USSR
1955
(Continued)
Economic Region and Location
Xa (Kazakhstan)
Aktyubinsk
Aktyubinsk
Dzhambul
Chulak-Tau
Xb (Central Asia)
Angren
Chardzhou
Chirchik
Kagan
Kokand
Samarkand
Facility
Kirov Chemical Combine
Phosphorite Mines
Dzhambul Superphosphate
Plant
Kara-Tau Mining and
Chemical Combine
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Plant
Superphosphate Plant
Stalin Electrochemical
Combine
Fertilizer Mixing Plant
Superphosphate Plant
Superphosphate Plant
- 42 -
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Product
Phosphorite concen-
trate, suPerphos-
phate, boron-
magnesium ferti-
lizer, boron
superphosphate
Phosphorite
Superphosphate
(regular and
granulated), ammo-
fos (planned)
Phosphorite fer-
tilizer
Nitrogen fertilizer
(planned)
Superphosphate
(planned)
Nitrogen fertilizer
Mixed fertilizers
Superphosphate
(regular and
granulated),
ammoniaed super-
phosphate
Superphosphate
'MCC
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
SECRET
WIRTH
.SEA
1
0 C
.:X?6?
m
6 .
? 2- 1
9?.c)
?as-
IAIStebni
??Vinautia
III
sed 04. Su
Dom ? 'Minsk .4
VII
VosktitisiriZir k
? V Dzerztflnsk
Yen
St;l7htiohnigkitAyszan.
Rodnichnif?
_ ?"'" ?
XI
'Mt
'1/4'11
?
Lake
Baikal
X
27,
vt4,4, 2 / /29,/
1. Chulak-Tau
a 3?Dzhambul
Chard hou'3%.*----...,....... .K.Chischik
4. Aaven
4 sam.,,,..cra-, _.
---3,Kokand
4e./. //.?
\\Boundaries ore not necessarily those
recogn;zecl by the U.S. Government.
to
/
7,27
412,117:0
1 Phosphorite or Phosphate deposit
2 Potassium deposit
3 Superphosphate plant
4 Nitrogen fertilizer plant
Economic region boundary. 1956
26075 7-57
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15: CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
APPENDIX C
PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS OF PHOSPHATE ROCK IN THE USSR
The deposits of apatite and phosphorite in the USSR are estimated
in billions of tons. 11V The most important deposits in the USSR
used for production of phosphorus fertilizers are the deposits of
apatite (generally in the form of fluorapatite) located on the Kola
Peninsula in the Khibiny Mountains near Kirovsk. The ore is concen-
trated by a process of flotation, and the resulting apatite concen-
trate, which contains 39 to 4o percent P205, is the preferred raw
material for the preparation of superphosphate. 11V
The second most important deposits of phosphate rock in the USSR
are the Kara-Tau deposits of phosphorite in southern Kazakhstan.
These deposits, which contain 26 to 28 percent P2051 have provided
raw material for production of phosphorus fertilizers in the cotton-
producing regions of Central Asia, which are large consumers of
mineral fertilizers. This phosphorite may be used without further
concentration to produce superphosphate. The superphosphate pro-
duced from this phosphorite is inferior to that produced from apatite
concentrate. The presence of magnesium and dolomite in the phos-
phorite ore causes a high consumption of sulfuric acid, and the re-
sulting superphosphate is oily, hygroscopic, and low in P205. Am-
moniation of the product) however, improves its quality. Until re-
cently the phosphorite from this deposit was not suitable for the
preparation of the phosphoric acid needed to prepare the concentrated
phosphorus fertilizer, double superphosphate. Recent research con-
ducted at the Scientific Institute for Fertilizers and Insectofungi-
cides, however, has resulted in the development of a chemical method
of concentrating these ores which solved this problem. 112/
Other deposits of phosphorite are located in the Central Region
(Mbskovskaya, Kirovskaya, Kurskaya, and Bryanskaya Oblasts), in the
Urals (Chkalovskaya Oblast and Bashkirskaya ASSR), in Kazakh SSR
(Aktyubinskaya Oblast), in the Estonian SSR, and in the Ukrainian SSR
(Vinnitskaya Oblast). 11.Y The reported content of the principal
ores and concentrates is shown in Table 13.*
* Table 13 follows on p. 44.
-43-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Table 13
Reported Phosphorous Pentoxide Content of Principal Deposits
of Phosphate Rock in the USSR ej
Deposit
Type
Product
Phosphorus Pentoxide
Content
(Percent)
Khibiny
Apatite
Ore
20.8 to 34.6
Flotation
concentrate
38.8 to 40.2
Kara-Tau
Phosphorite
Ore
24.0 to 30.0
Vyatsk
Phosphorite
Ore (washed)
23.5 to 26.0
Flotation
concentrate
28.0 to 28.3
Yegor'yevsk
Phosphorite
Ore (washed)
21.2 to 23.7
Flotation
concentrate
27.5 to 31.0
Aktyubinsk
Phosphorite
Ore (washed)
17.5 to 19.0
Flotation
concentrate
25.0 to 26.0
Concentrates of the phosphorite at Aktyubinsk (Aktyubinskaya Oblast),
Shchigry (Kurskaya Oblast), and Vyatsk (Kirovskaya Oblast) can be used
to produce phosphoric acid only in mixture with apatite concentrate.
The flotation concentrates of this phosphorite, however, can be used to
produce phosphoric acid suitable for production of double superphosphate,
ammofos, and precipitate. The phosphorite from the deposits at Ryazan-
Yegor'yevsk (Moskovskaya Oblast) cannot be used for acid decomposition
until a method for their concentration is developed. This phosphorite,
In the form of phosphorite meal, is used exclusively as a direct fer-
tilizer. 118/ The apatite from the Kola Peninsula and phosphorite
from the Kara-Tau deposits cannot be used as a direct fertilizer, be-
cause the P205 is insoluble in the soil. 11
-44-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
APPENDIX D
METHODOLOGY
1. Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers, by Crop, 1955 and 1960.*
Statements that have been made in recent years indicate a sufficient
supply of mineral fertilizers for industrial crops. Although the re-
quired amount of fertilizer varies for each crop, depending on the
type of soil, the climatic conditions, and the crop yield planned, the
consumption of fertilizers in cultivating the industrial crops (sugar
beets, flax, and hemp) was estimated by assuming the complete fer-
tilization of the areas sown to these crops in 1955 122/ and by use
of a rate of application which was estimated from data given in a
handbook on mineral fertilizers. 121/ The amount of fertilizers used
for cotton in 1955 was estimated by inflating the reported consump-
tion of mineral fertilizers for cotton on collective farms in 1954. 122/
This inflation was accomplished by assuming that collective farms
produce 95 percent of the cotton in the USSR and that the amount of
mineral fertilizers used for cotton in 1955 was the same as the amount
used in 1954. (The total acreage sown to cotton did not change.)
The amount of fertilizers used for potatoes and vegetables was
estimated from a statement that an average of 6o kilognuns of mineral
fertilizers per hectare (about 54 pounds per acre) was used for kolkhoz
potato and vegetable crops in 1955 123/ and a report that the total
area sown to these crops in 1955 was 10.6 million hectares (26.2 mil-
lion acres). 124/ The total amount of fertilizers by type was esti-
mated to be in about the same proportion as that given for potatoes
and vegetables in the Plan for 1939. .25/
The amounts of fertilizers used for grain and other crops in 1955
were obtained by subtracting the estimated requirements given above
from the estimate of the total supply of each type of mineral fer-
tilizer in 1955.
The amount of mineral fertilizers that will be distributed to
cotton, sugar beets, flax, and hemp in 1960 was estimated by assuming
that the rate of fertilization for each of these crops in 1960 will
* See Table 7, p. 18, above.
-45-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
- S-E-C-R-E-T
be the same as in 1955 and by applying these rates to the estimated
areas sown to these crops in 1960. The residual amount of ferti-
lizer (obtained by subtracting the estimated requirements given above
from the estimated total production of mineral fertilizers in 1960)
is the estimated amount of mineral fertilizers that will be available
for the fertilization of potatoes, vegetables, grain, and other crops
in the USSR in 1960.
2. Distribution of Mineral Fertilizers, by Economic Region, 1955.*
In 1953, Azerbaydzhan SSR in Region V and the Central Asian repub-
lics in Region Xb reportedly received 850)400 tons of nitrogen fertili-
zers and 897,200 tons of phosphorus fertilizers. 126/ The amounts of
fertilizers received by these areas in 1955 were estimated at 1.16 mil- ?
lion tons of nitrogen fertilizers and 1.23 million tons of phosphorus
fertilizers. These estimates were derived by assuming that the increase
in receipts of these fertilizers was directly proportional to the in-
crease in production of mineral fertilizers in these years. The per-
centage distribution in the Plan for 1941 127/ was then used to esti-
mate the distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers -to.Azer-
baydzhan SSR and to the Central Asian republics.
The Plan for 1941 also was used to estimate the distribution to
other regions of the remaining 1.44 million tons of nitrogen fer-
tilizers and 3.37 million tons of phosphorus fertilizers produced
in 1955 and to estimate the distribution, by economic region, of
the total amounts of potassium fertilizers and phosphorite meal pro-
duced in 1955.
3. Value of Production of Mineral Fertilizers, 1955. 4(44-
The following prices went into effect on 1 July 1955 128/:
Price
Fertilizer (Rubles per Ton)
Ammonium sulfate 250
Superphosphate 161
Potassium chloride
(56.9 percent K20) 95
See Table 8, p. 19, above.
** See IV, p. 20, above.
-46-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
. The price of phosphorite meal was estimated at 53 rubles per ton
on the basis of a statement that its cost is 30 to 35 percent of that
of superphosphate. 129/ The price of potassium chloride was adjusted
from 95 rubles to 70 rubles to put it on a basis of 41.6 percent 1(20
(instead of 56.9 percent K20). By using this information on prices,
together with the estimated production of various types of mineral
fertilizers, the value of production was then estimated to be as fol-
lows:
Amount
Price
Value
Fertilizer
(Tons)
(Rubles per Ton)
(Million Rubles)
Nitrogen
2,984,000
250
71+6
Potassium
1,898)300
70
133
Phosphorus
3,833,700
161
617
Phosphorite meal
924,000
53
49
Total
9,640,000
Not applicable
1,545
4. Input Requirements.*
a. Nitrogen.
In 1955, 2.98 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers (20.5 per-
cent nitrogen) were produced in the USSR. Of this total, it is esti-
mated that 558,000 tons of ammonium sulfate were produced from coke
ovens and that the remaining 2.43 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers
consisted principally of ammonium nitrate.**
A Soviet text has reported the inputs required to produce 1
ton of ammonium sulfate from coke ovens as follows: sulfuric acid
(100 percent H2SO4), 0.765 ton; steam) about 5 tons; and electricity,
30 kwh. 130/ The reported requirements per ton of ammonium nitrate
are as follows: nitric acid (100 percent m03), 0.79 ton; ammonia,
0.219 ton; steam) 0.7 ton; and electricity) 22.5 kwh. 131/
* See Table 10, p. 22, above.
** This is a maximum estimate of ammonium nitrate produced in 1955
for use as a fertilizer and includes small amounts of synthetic am-
monium sulfate, sodium nitrate, and perhaps other nitrogen ferti-
lizers.
-47-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
The inputs required to produce ammonium sulfate in the USSR
In 1955 are estimated to have been as follows: sulfuric acid,
430;000 tons; steam, 2.8 million tons; and electricity, 16.7 million kwh.
The inputs required to produce azimonium nitrate* in the USSR
in 1955 are estimated to have been as follows: nitric acid, 1.11
million tons; ammonia, 640,000 tons; steam; 980,000 tons; and elec-
tricity, 3.25 billion kwh. Of these amounts, 330,000 tons of am-
monia would have been required to produce the 1.11 million tons of
nitric acid) 112/ and 3.22 billion kwh of electricity would have
been required to produce the needed total of 64o,000 tons of am-
monia. 112/
The total requirements for production of nitrogen fertilizer
In the USSR in 1955 are estimated to have been as f011ows:
Input
Unit Amount
Sulfuric acid Million tons 0.43
Nitric acid Million tons 1.10
Ammonia Million tons o.64
Steam Million tons 3.78
Electricity Billion kwh 3.27
b. Potassium.
In 1955, 1.9 million tons of potassium fertilizers (41.6 per-
cent 1(20) were produced in the USSR. There are probably no major re-
quirements for chemical or electrical inputs for potassium fertilizers.
To produce 1.9 million tons of potassium fertilizers, about 5.7 mil-
lion tons of crude potassium salts (sylvinite) would have been re-
quired. 12L/
c. Phosphorus.
In 1955 the USSR produced 924,000 tons of phosphorite meal
and 3.8 million tons of superphosphate. About 85 percent of pro-
duction of superphosphate (3.2 million tons) was made from apatite
concentrate, 135/ and the remaining 15 percent (600,000 tons) was
* On the basis that 2.43 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer (20.5
percent nitrogen) are equivalent to about 1.4 million tons of am-
monium nitrate.
-48-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
made from phosphorite ore. A Soviet text reports that production of
1 ton of superphosphate requires 0.588 ton of phosphorite ore or
0.515 ton of apatite concentrate. In addition, each ton of super-
phosphate requires 0.371 ton of sulfuric acid if phosphorite ore is
used or 0.35 ton of sulfuric acid if apatite concentrate is used. 114/
On the basis of these data the inputs required to produce
superphosphate in the USSR in 1955 are estimated to have been as
follows:
Input
Apatite concentrate
Phosphorite ore
Sulfuric acid
Amount
(Million Tons)
1.65
0.35
Using apatite concentrate 1.12
Using phosphorite ore 0.22
Total sulfuric acid 1.34
The amount of power required to produce superphosphate in the
USSR, based on the reported US requirements for 24 kwh per ton of
superphosphate, is estimated at 91 million kwh. 137/
The total requirements for production of phosphorous fertilizers
In the USSR in 1955 are estimated to have been as follows:
Input
Unit Amount
Apatite concentrate Million.tons 1.65
Phosphorite ore Million tons 1.28*
Sulfuric acid
(100 percent H2SO4) Million tons 1.34
Electricity Million kwh 91.0
* This figure includes 924,000 tons to be used for direct application
as fertilizer.
-49-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
5. Production of Mineral Fertilizers, by Type, 1956-60.*
Production of mineral fertilizers in 1960 is scheduled to be as
follows: potassium, 1.6 times that of 1955; phosphorus, twice that
of 1955; and phosphorite meal, 2.9 times that of 1955. 13?1./ By
using these figures, together with the reported production of various
types of mineral fertilizers in 1955 and the total production of all
types planned for 1960, the planned production of various types of
mineral fertilizers in 1960 was estimated.
Production of mineral fertilizers in 1960 is estimated tentatively
at 16.8 million tons, an increase of 75 percent above that of 1955.
This is the same rate of increase that was achieved under the Fifth
Five Year Plan (1951r55), and such a rate is believed to be more
realistic than the planned increase of 104 percent. The estimated
increase of 7.2 million tons is 72 percent of the planned increase
of 10 million tons. Estimates of production of each type of mineral
fertilizer in 1960 were made by assuming that in each case the in-
crease in production will be about 72 percent of the planned in-
crease. Production of mineral fertilizers in 1960 then was estimated
as follows (in million tons): nitrogen, 5.3; potassium, 2.7; phos-
phorus, 6.6; and phosphorite meal, 2.2.
Production of mineral fertilizers in 1956 amounted to 10.9 mil-
lion tons, 1.379/ and production of 11.6 million tons in 1957 is
planned. 140 The small increase of about 6 percent planned for
1957 probably will be achieved, and this figure was used as the basis
for estimating production in 1957. Production in 1958 and 1959 was
estimated by interpolating between the estimates of production in
1957 and in 1960, which indicated an annual increase of 13.3 percent.
Production of various types of mineral fertilizers in 1956 and
1957 was estimated by assuming that production of each type is in-
creasing at the same rate as the total production of mineral fer-
tilizers. Production of various types in 1958 and 1959 was estimated
by interpolating between the estimates for 1957 and 1960. '
6. Production of Nitrogen Fertilizers, by Type, 1955 and 1960.**
Figures for.total production of nitrogen in 1955 and production
planned for 1960 were derived in 5, above.
* See Table 11, p. 24, above.
** See VI, B, p. 23, above.
-50-
S-E-C-R-E-T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
S-E-C-R-E-T
Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are the principal nitrogen
fertilizers, so that once an estimate of production of ammonium sul-
fate is made, production of ammonium nitrate can be estimated by sub-
tracting production of ammonium sulfate from total production of ni-
trogen fertilizers. Production of coke amounted to 43.6 million tons
in 1955 and is scheduled to reach 64.6 million tons in 1960. By
using a coefficient of 0.0128 ton of ammonium sulfate per ton of coke, 142/
it was estimated that production of ammonium sulfate amounted to
558,000 tons in 1955 and will reach 827,000 tons in 1960.
- 51 -
S -E -C-R -E -T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
le#
40 Next 6 Page(s) In Document Denied
e
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
50X1
r
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7
SECRET
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/15 :
CIA-RDP79R01141A000800120002-7