"They arranged a small China." What is known about the new refrigerator production in Baranavichy

Midea Refrigerators: Production Volume and Export

A year ago, the Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Piotr Parkhomchyk, stated that the implementation of the new project in Baranavichy attracted $28.8 million in direct foreign investments, brought in "unique" technological equipment, and aimed to produce up to 850 thousand refrigerators annually.

Belarusian Atlant used to produce approximately the same amount (about 1 million units of refrigeration equipment per year).

Belstat does not provide current data on refrigerator production in 2025-2026, but in March, the head of the FEZ "Brest" administration, Vadim Krauchuk, announced that the Midea production facility in Baranavichy produced over 80 thousand refrigerators last year, and plans to produce 250 thousand in 2026. He added that "the great construction continues."

If these figures are accurate, it can be said that, from the perspective of production volume, things are going well at the new facility.

The company "Midea Refrigerator Manufacturing" itself does not publish data on the development of its production and exports.

Павялічыць

Today, Midea refrigerators with the label "made in Belarus" can be found on trading platforms in Russia and Kazakhstan.

"They arranged a small China"

The picture looks less rosy considering the salary level at the enterprise.

Here's what a resident of Baranavichy told "Solidarnost":

— In the past, the Atlant branch for the production of refrigerator compressors, the Baranavichy Machine Tool Plant, was the most successful enterprise in the city, where one could only get a job through connections. But that has long ceased to be the case. So when Midea opened, people even rejoiced.

When the salary of an ordinary worker at BMTP fell to 900 rubles take-home, they promised at least 1300 there. In fact, it was not so. People left BMTP for Midea, and they were paid the same 900 rubles. A circus on a wire.

Currently, Midea has a severe shortage of personnel.

They lure people in any way they can. Including like this: come with your passport, work one day, and get 50 rubles. If you worked normally, they will say "come again." I don't remember such a thing happening in Belarus before; they've arranged a small China here.

Павялічыць

Photo: id-pro.by

The story of the Baranavichy resident is indirectly confirmed by the abundance of vacancies with low stated wages. For example, assembly fitters of household appliances at Midea are promised 1100-1500 rubles, equipment adjusters 1500-2300. Meanwhile, the average take-home salary in Baranavichy is about 1950 rubles.

The head of the FEZ "Brest" administration, Vadim Krauchuk, also hinted at the existence of the problem, stating that at Midea, "the issue of human resources stands" and that with the management of the new enterprise, "we are talking about the salary level."

Questions that remain unanswered

This spring, the Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Piotr Parkhomchyk, stated that the Chinese want to increase refrigerator production in Baranavichy.

However, it appears that all costs for the project's implementation are borne by the Belarusian side. The volume of direct investments at the project's launch was small, while Midea, as a resident of FEZ "Brest," was granted a number of benefits, and salaries at the enterprise make even Baranavichy residents laugh.

A year ago, Parkhomchyk reported to Alexander Lukashenka that "large-scale localization" was envisioned at Midea – but it is no longer mentioned. It is unclear whether parts for Midea refrigerators are manufactured in Belarus, or if Baranavichy simply assembles their Chinese components.

And all these questions remain unanswered against the backdrop of authorities assisting a direct competitor to the domestic Atlant. It is hard to imagine that Chinese production would be launched without Lukashenka's personal approval.

But whether this is beneficial for the budget and who the beneficiary in this story is, remains unclear for now.

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