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The Federal Customs Service data released on November 10 showed Russia’s foreign trade surplus for January to September 2026 reached $116.8 billion, a 13.2 percent increase from the $103.2 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier. Exports during the nine months totaled $346.5 billion, up 13.7 percent, while imports stood at $229.7 billion, which represented a 14.1 percent rise. Overall trade turnover expanded to $576.2 billion, marking a 13.9 percent gain compared with the prior year.
According to the Federal Customs Service, mineral products accounted for the largest share of exports at $194.8 billion, reflecting a 14.3 percent increase, driven largely by higher oil prices. Metals and metal products followed with $63.5 billion in exports, up 21.8 percent, and agricultural products contributed $31.8 billion after a 15.6 percent advance. On the import side, machinery and equipment rose 16.1 percent to $112.4 billion, the customs service figures show.
Trade with Asian countries played a dominant role in the surplus expansion, the Federal Customs Service data places exports to the region at $277.5 billion, an increase of 17.7 percent, while imports from Asia grew 17.6 percent to $158.1 billion. In contrast, trade with European nations resulted in a deficit as exports edged up 2.3 percent to $44.5 billion but imports climbed 8.9 percent to $56.2 billion. Shipments to Africa and the Americas saw mixed results, with exports to the latter declining 7.8 percent to $8.6 billion.
The nine-month performance builds on earlier trends, with the surplus standing at $89.2 billion for the first seven months of 2026 according to previous customs releases. For the full year of 2025, the surplus had totaled $139.3 billion, which was an 8.2 percent decline from 2024 levels, Interfax reported. This shift underscores the ongoing reorientation of Russian trade flows amid global economic conditions.
Higher oil prices contributed significantly to the export growth, as Urals crude prices rose notably in recent months. The increase in mineral product revenues helped offset the nearly parallel growth in imports. Chemical imports advanced 11.3 percent to $44.8 billion while food imports were up 4.3 percent to $32.6 billion.
The Federal Customs Service noted that Asia now accounts for approximately 80 percent of Russia’s total exports, highlighting the successful pivot away from traditional European markets. Imports of machinery and equipment remained the top import category despite the overall positive trade balance. Officials continue to monitor these developments as the year progresses toward its final quarter.
