Imports to Russia up 9% in 5M, disclosure of detailed foreign trade statistics not expected soon - customs

MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - Imports to Russia in January-May 2023 increased by 9% compared to the same period of 2022, the acting head of the Federal Customs Service (FCS) Ruslan Davydov said. At the same time, he noted that publication of detailed data on foreign trade statistics should not be expected in the near future.

"Imports to Russia in 5M 2023 were up 9% compared to last year," he said, announcing preliminary data on imports.

Commenting on the question of whether more detailed foreign trade statistics were expected, some of which the FCS began to publish in March, but then again put on pause, Davydov noted that "to close/open [foreign trade statistics] is not our decision."

"We will comply with any decision, but for now, we probably shouldn't expect any serious disclosure of these data because our opponents are trying to strangle us economically - why would we help them in that?" he said.