14.10.2026 Trade & Markets #Russia #Import #Export #Statistics

Russia's foreign trade up 13.8% to $505.5 bn in January–August 2026

The Federal Customs Service (FCS) published Russia's foreign trade results for January–August 2026 on 12 October. Turnover came to $505.5 bn, up 13.8% year on year (FCS release). Exports reached $304.2 bn (+14.2%) and imports $201.3 bn (+13.1%). The trade surplus was $102.9 bn, 16.4% above last year's (PRIME).

What Russia exports and imports

Mineral products made up 56.1% of exports (FCS). According to TKS.RU, the main export groups performed as follows:

• mineral products: $170.6 bn (+14.5%);
• metals and metal products: $55.6 bn (+22.2%);
• food and agricultural raw materials: $28.6 bn (+20.1%);
• chemicals and rubber: $23.2 bn (+6.3%);
• machinery, equipment and vehicles: $16.8 bn (−1.5%).

Besides machinery, timber and pulp and paper products also declined: $6.7 bn against $7 bn a year earlier, −3.5% (TKS.RU).

On the import side, machinery, equipment and other goods accounted for 48.5% (FCS). They totalled $97.7 bn (+15.2%), followed by chemicals ($39.8 bn, +10.8%) and food ($29.1 bn, +4.8%). Imports of mineral products more than doubled to $5.8 bn (TKS.RU).

Asia dominates the trade map

Asian countries accounted for 75.5% of turnover, which grew 18.1%. Europe held 17.5% (+4%), the Americas 3.6% (−4.9%) and Africa 3.4% (+1.5%) (FCS).

The breakdown by direction (TKS.RU):

• Asia: turnover $381.8 bn, exports $244 bn (+19.1%), imports $137.8 bn (+16.3%).
• Europe: exports $38.6 bn (−1.1%), imports $49.8 bn (+8.3%).
• Americas: exports $7.6 bn (−10.9%), imports $10.4 bn, essentially flat.
• Africa: turnover $17.2 bn, exports $14 bn (+0.6%), imports $3.2 bn (+5.2%).

What the data show for importers and exporters

For importers: machinery and equipment imports grew 15.2%, faster than imports overall (+13.1%) (TKS.RU, FCS). Imports from Asia rose 16.3% and from Europe 8.3%, while imports from the Americas stayed flat (TKS.RU).

For exporters: shipments of metals grew 22.2% and food 20.1%, while machinery and timber with pulp and paper products declined (−1.5% and −3.5%). By direction, exports to Asia grew 19.1%, exports to Europe fell 1.1% and exports to the Americas fell 10.9% (TKS.RU).

Central Bank estimate on a different methodology

On a balance-of-payments basis, the Bank of Russia estimates goods exports for January–August at $312.4 bn, imports at $220.8 bn and the surplus at $91.6 bn (+25%) (Interfax). These figures are not directly comparable with FCS customs statistics, as the methodologies differ.

Primary sources

• Итоги внешней торговли Российской Федерации в январе-августе 2026 года (зеркало релиза ФТС)
• ТКС.РУ: ФТС представила данные по экспорту и импорту России за январь–август 2026 года
• ТКС.РУ: Экспорт продукции лесопромышленного комплекса России сократился на 3,5 %
• ПРАЙМ: данные ФТС о внешней торговле за январь–август 2026
• Интерфакс: внешняя торговля России в январе–августе 2026 года (ФТС)
• Интерфакс: оценка Банка России по внешней торговле товарами (платёжный баланс)

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.