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.
President Vladimir Putin has met with the Supreme Ruler of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, who has been visiting Moscow. Malaysia is a BRICS partner state and has a US$4 billion+ trade turnover with Russia, with volumes also showing sustainable growth. Ibrahim invited Putin to a formal State visit to Malaysia during 2027.
Russia’s President Putin has met with the Laos President and a full senior government and business delegation in Moscow. The two sides are looking at ways to increase bilateral trade and solutions to Laos’ energy shortage problems, with oil and gas supplies likely to be sent via Vietnam. Bilateral trade doubled in 2025.
The CAREC group of Central Asian nations is to expedite their regional comprehensive and transparent regional cooperation mechanism to facilitate cross-border trade and investment. These will link with Russian and Chinese digital logistics networks to the east and west and further enhance multilateral, Eurasian trade efficiencies.
Russia’s Far Eastern Railway has reported a 3.4% increase in cargo during 4M 2026 after a decline in 2025. Shipments of coal, oil and petroleum, iron and manganese ore, non-ferrous ores and sulfur all increased.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has been visiting the President and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan in Astana. The two countries bilateral trade dipped slightly last year, and with joint memberships in the Eurasian Economic Union, Commonwealth of Independent States and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, plus increasing need for developing China transit, both parties signed a development agreement for 2027-2028.
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Russia’s FESCO Transportation Group have recorded a 38% increase in shipments between Chinese Ports and Vladivostok in Q1 2026 over the same period last year, with the bulk of these being Chinese exports to Russia.
A comprehensive overview of Russia’s trade and investment with the ASEAN nations between 2026 and 2031. We analyse all elements of mutual trade opportunities as many ASEAN countries face ongoing Middle East-driven oil supply disruptions and fertilizer supply chain and production cost uncertainties, alongside broader geopolitical realignments. Essential intelligence for anyone in the ASEAN trade space.
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.
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