Russia: Exports growth wanes in November
Merchandise exports totaled USD 32.2 billion in November, which represents a 25.2% increase compared with the USD 26.6 billion observed in the same month of 2016. The expansion was below October’s 27.1% increase. Supportive global conditions and higher commodity prices have led to Russian exports surging in recent months.
Imports increased 23.5% annually in November, above October’s 18.8% increase and came in at USD 21.7 billion. The trade surplus came in at USD 11.5 billion, which was larger than the USD 9.0 billion surplus seen in November 2016.
The recovery of the external sector is seen more clearly when examining trailing 12-month data. The trailing 12-month sum of the trade surplus rose from USD 110.8 billion in October to USD 113.4 billion in November, the best result since April 2016.