Russian imports from non-CIS countries fall 5% to $36.52 bln in 2 mths
MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - Russian merchandise imports from non-CIS countries fell 5% year-on-year in January-February to $36.518 billion, the Federal Customs Service (FCS) said in a statement.
These imports totaled $19.822 billion in February, 18.7% more than in January 2014 but 7.8% less than in February 2013.
In February 2014 imports were down 9.8% in annual terms for chemicals, 9.7% for engineering goods, and 6.7% for textiles and footwear, while they rose 0.9% for food goods.
In imports of food goods, there was an increase of 41.5% for cereals, 40.9% for dairy products, 22.7% for sugar, 17.2% for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 13.3% for vegetables and 6.9% for fish, while imports declined 29.8% for meat and variety meat, 13.2% for fruit, 13.0% for tobacco and 5.4% for vegetable oil.
Among imports of chemicals, there was a drop of 18.9% for organic and non-organic chemicals, 18.5% for pharmaceuticals, 10.0% for perfumery and cosmetics, and 3.5% for polymers and rubber. Imports of soaps and detergents rose 1.3%.
Among textile products and footwear, imports in February 2014 were down 22.8% year-on-year for cotton, 21.3% for footwear, 20.4% for synthetic fibers, 10.1% for finished textile products and 1.5% for knitwear, while imports increased 13.3% for textile materials, 9.3% for synthetic thread, 6.2% for textile clothing, and 1.1% for knit fabric.
In imports of engineering products, there was a decline of 47.7% decline for rail locomotive equipment, 18.0% for ships and vessels, 12.9% for both electrical equipment and vehicles, 11.3% for optical instruments and apparatus, and 5.7% for mechanical equipment. Aircraft imports increased 6.7%.
