Belarus exports up 16.6% in January-October

MINSK, 17 December (BelTA) – In January-October 2012 the value of Belarusian exports increased by 16.6%, or $5.6 billion, that of imports by 2.8%, or $1.1 billion, according to the National Statistics Committee. In January-October 2012 the volume of foreign trade in goods totaled $77.9 billion, including $39.4 billion in exports and $38.5 billion in imports. Belarus posted trade surplus of $913.5 million. In January-October 2011 the country’s trade deficit equaled $3,641 billion.

In January-October 2012 Belarus traded with 195 countries, selling to 154 states and importing from 176 countries. Belarus’ main trading partners were: Russia – 47% of the total, the Netherlands – 9.5%, Ukraine – 8.4%, Germany – 4.6%, Latvia – 4.2%, China – 2.8%, Poland – 2.5%, Lithuania – 1.7%, Italy – 1.6% and Brazil – 1.2%. The highest exports were registered in trade with the EU countries (27 member states). Over the ten months of the year Belarus sold $15.8 billion worth of products to the EU (125.7% to January-October 2011). Imports from the EU rose by 7% to $7.4 billion. The trade turnover reached $23.226 billion (up 19%). Belarus’ surplus in trade with the EU made up $8.388 billion. Belarus’ main exports are oil products (32.1% of the total), potash fertilizers (6%), dairy products (3.8%), trucks (3.2%), tractors and tractive units (3.1%), ferrous metals and products made of them (2.6%), other goods (49.2%). Belarus’ main imports comprise crude oil (18.9%), oil products (12.8%), natural gas (7%), ferrous metals (5%), cars (2%), combustion engines (1%), other goods (53.3%).