Russian trade surplus narrows 11.9% to $30.3 bln in Q1- customs

MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - Russia's trade surplus narrowed 11.9% to $30.3 billion in January-March 2026 from $34.4 billion a year previously, according to Federal Customs Service data published on Monday.

Russian merchandise exports were little changed at $97.2 billion versus $97.3 billion a year previously, while imports grew 6.3% to $66.9 billion from $62.9 billion.

Foreign trade grew 2.4% to $164.1 billion from $160.2 billion.

Russian exports to Europe fell 9.1% year-on-year to $13.6 billion, to Asia they rose 3.7% to $76.9 billion, exports to Africa fell 22% to $4.5 billion and to the Americas they fell 27.4% to $2.2 billion.

Russia's imports from Europe rose 7% year-on-year to $17 billion, from Asia they grew 6.2% to $45.1 billion, from Africa they fell 1.9% to $1.1 billion and from the Americas they rose 6% to $3.7 billion.

Russia's foreign trade surplus was $139.3 billion in 2025, down 8.2% from 2024, with exports falling 3.7% to $418.3 billion and imports falling 1.4% to $279 billion.

Exports of mineral products declined 12.4% to $50.6 billion; metals and metal products increased 34.7% to $19.2 billion; food products and agricultural raw materials rose 18.8% to $10.7 billion; chemical products grew 6.2% to $8.0 billion; machinery, equipment, vehicles, and other goods decreased 11.1% to $4.8 billion; and wood and pulp and paper products declined 10.1% to $2.3 billion in Q1 2026.

Imports of machinery, equipment, vehicles, and other goods increased by 6.8% to $30.7 billion; chemical products increased by 5.0% to $13.5 billion; food products and agricultural raw materials increased by 7.0% to $10.3 billion; metals and metal products decreased by 0.1% to $8.9 billion; and textiles, textile goods, and footwear increased by 12.4% to $4.9 billion in Q1 2026.