Russia imported about US$240 billion worth of goods in 2025, ranging from selected agricultural products, cars, machinery, electronics, and high-tech goods. The Russian consumer market is also changing in light of new preferences and tastes created by its move into new markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Master market entry into Russia. Get practical guides on import regulations, customs clearance, and distribution channels. Essential for international businesses targeting the Russian market.
The Russian Defense Minister has been visiting Pyongyang and meeting with North Korea’s top military officials, as well as the President, Kim Jong-un, with the two sides agreeing a strategic military alliance to 2031.
Russia’s FESCO transport group have been making maritime deliveries to the Middle East markets and avoiding the Strait of Hormuz by introducing direct shipping services between Russia’s southern ports and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea.
2,500 foreign nationals have registered on a new Russian portal designed for skilled foreign nationals seeking expedited relocation to Russia, according to the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives. This includes in-demand specialists, and scientists. Family relocation is a key trend, with 35% planning to move to Russia with spouses and children.
The Russian container market grew by 1.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reaching 1.8 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU). This is indicative of a small rebound over trade figures in the same period last year.
China-Russia bilateral trade grew by 15% in Q1 2026, with some surprising trade growth areas aside from oil and gas. In March alone, trade was up 20% on the same time last year. We identify the primary trade growth drivers and compare with previous years.
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In this article we look at other global commodities that are produced in the Middle East and at how this conflict benefits the United States, as well as areas where Russia also stands to gain. We look at where shortages are likely to arise with the cost of resulting higher prices, and what this means for Europe in particular.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has visited Beijing and met with China’s President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. We deep dive the meetings, what was discussed and examine the near 15% Russia-China bilateral trade growth achieved in Q1 2026.
The Russian and Indonesian Presidents and their respective economic development teams have met in Moscow. We deep dive the meetings that were held, with an onus on energy, bilateral trade growth and mutual investments. Indonesia has a population double that of Russia and an economy growing five times faster.
Russia’s Wildberries has just begun promoting Ethiopian products for sale on its Russian market platforms. Products such as coffee, tea and flowers are beginning to become popular with Russian consumers. Russian products will be available on Ethiopian online markets later in the year.
Russia and Pakistan have commenced discussions concerning a Pakistan-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. Pakistan has an economy worth over US$2 trillion and a consumer market of over 250 million people. Moscow see Pakistan as a promising partner in the region with significant potential for growth.
Russia’s Arkhangelsk Port and the Chinese NewNew Shipping Company have agreed an MoU on the volumes of shipping the maritime services provider will utilise along the Northern Sea Route this year. It will be an increase on last years 14 voyages.
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