Russia’s total trade reached about US$745 billion during 2025, also showcasing a significant, albeit shifting, trade surplus of about US$120 billion. In this section we cover all news concerning Russian trade developments, with Russian exporters increasingly reaching out into new markets on a global basis as it pivots away from the West. This is the definitive source on Russian trade. Get the latest data, analysis, and news on Russia’s import/export activities, trade agreements, and increasing commercial partnerships with the Global South.
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.
Russian and South Sudanese energy officials and investors have met to discuss requirements and opportunities in South Sudan, whose economy is mainly energy based across multiple sectors. The country has the potential to become a Central African energy hub.
We deep dive the UAE’s decision to leave OPEC from May 1 and examine the impact on Russian, Asian and Global markets, and assess what other oil related supply shocks could manifest in these markets over the short, medium and longe terms.
Fresh seafood travelling from the Russian Far East to primary distribution points and onward consumer markets in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tolyatti, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg are up 60% in the first four months of 2026 compared to last year.
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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Japan has recommenced purchasing Russian oil with a delivery expected from Russia’s Sakhalin blend crude on Sunday. 95% of Japan’s oil is imported from the Middle East leaving the country with limited options for importing replacements.
The Russian-Indian Joint Venture Brahmos Aerospace has realised a 48.6% growth in profits for the past fiscal yea, according to financial results released on Wednesday. The company manufactures the Brahmos cruise missile which can fly at Mach 2.8 and cannot be intercepted by other defence systems.
Russia will permit truck drivers from Georgia and the CIS countries to remain in Russia for 183 days in every year to allow them to work continuously. The scheme kicks in from June 30. We provide the application details.
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, has arrived in Russia on a state visit, his first overseas trip since winning the national elections last month. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials to discuss various investment projects including a massive oil pipeline and trade.
Belarus, which was accepted as a BRICS Partner nation in 2024, is making plans to join the BRICS New Development Bank. Doing so will open up alternative opportunities to raise capital for infrastructure and related developments as an alternative to capital markets in ‘unfriendly’ nations and to be able to do so without using the US dollar or Euro.
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.
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