Russian trade surplus widens 27.8% to $20 bln in March - Econ Ministry
MOSCOW. April 29 (Interfax) - Russia's trade surplus widened an estimated 27.8% year-on-year in March to $20 billion, the Russian Economic Development Ministry said in a report.
Merchandise export grew 5.5% year-on-year to $46.9 billion and was 28.4% higher than in February 2014.
Exports to non-CIS countries rose 6.3% to $40.5 billion and export to CIS countries grew 0.9% to $6.4 billion in March compared with February.
Merchandise imports fell 6.6% year-on-year in March to $26.9 billion and were 11.6% higher than in February.
Imports from non-CIS countries fell 3.3% year-on-year in March to $23.8 billion and imports from CIS countries fell 26.4% to $3.1 billion.
Urals crude fell 0.7% in March compared with February to $106.7 a barrel but was ere level with March last year.
The Energy Ministry said oil exports fell l5.9% year-on-year in tonnage in March, gas exports - 6.6% and coal - 2%, according to preliminary data.
The Russian Economic Development Ministry said the trade surplus widened 6.8% year-on-year in Q1 2014 to $51.3 billion.