Moldovan exports to Russia almost halved this year - National Bureau of Statistics
CHISINAU. Aug 13 (Interfax) - Moldovan exports to Russia decreased 46% year-on-year in the first half of 2015 to $114.1 million, the Moldovan National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.
On the whole, Moldovan exports stood at $992.9 million as of July 1 (-15.3%). Romania consumed most of Moldova's exports worth $222 million (+10.4%). Russia was downgraded to second place, and Italy retained third place, $109.5 million (-22%).
Moldovan exports grew the most to Indonesia (5.6-fold), Canada (4.4-fold) and Sweden (2.4-fold). In addition to Russia, the biggest decline in trade with Moldova was posted by Ukraine (64.9%), Azerbaijan (49.3%) and Turkey (46.7%).
Exports grew in several types of commodities, including fruits and vegetables (5.2%), oilseeds (22.9%) and machinery and equipment (21.5%).
At the same time, the exports fell for meat and meat products (82.7%), beverages and tobacco (22.9%), medicines (51%), footwear (28%) and clothes (22.5%).
For now, Russia tops the list of Moldova's exporters with $289.9 million (82% of last year's levels). The first runner-ups are Romania with $279.2 million (-22.5%) and Ukraine, $168.6 million (-34.6%).
Given that imports were falling more rapidly than exports, the Moldovan trade deficit reduced by 27.8% year-on-year in the first half of 2015, to $992 million.