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 has resumed the export of wheat to Burundi after administrative difficulties. The country is a major exporter of bulgar wheat, used in numerous Burundian dishes including the popular Boko Boko Harees. Over 815 tonnes of wheat worth around US$600,000 was shipped in 8M 2026.
The Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation have agreed a Joint Action Plan to cover the period 2027-2030. This covers important trade development areas including digitalization, information and communication technologies, customs regulation, agro-industry, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, consumer protection, green-economy issues and information exchange. We deep dive the contents to explain exactly what this means and the impact on EAEU and SCO members.
Russia’s trade with the Global South and ‘friendly’ countries now accounts for 85% of its total, reaching about US$299 billion in H1 2026. The West provides just 15% of Russia’s economic trade and continues to decline. We examine the main Global South trade partners in all regions, and provide the latest H1 2026 trade data. There are some surprising results for those who assume Russia only trades oil with China and India. The non-energy sector on a worldwide basis is increasingly dominant as Global South trade volumes continue a Russian growth trajectory.
Hong Kong has just hosted a Russian business mission, with both local and Russian companies interacting to explore potential for local market and Greater Bay Area penetration for Russian products. Hong Kong is also well positioned to assist Russia exporters access markets in ASEAN. Current Russia-Hong Kong trade hit US$2 billion in H1 2026, while the SAR also providing non-cash financial services to Russian companies trading with China – Hong Kong has handled over 100 tonnes of Russian gold bullion destined for China this year.
Russian, Mongolian and Chinese officials have agreed to set up a working group to study the potential of a proposed Russia-Mongolia-China Western Railway Corridor that would link Russia’s Tuva region with Mongolia’s Uvs Province, and onto China’s Xinjiang Province in the countries Far West.
New railway construction is part of China’s latest 5 year development plan, while Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh also discussed the project with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO summit last month.
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Kyrgyzstan is looking for more cooperation with Russian investors in food processing in order to add value rather than just import and export raw products. The Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister, Erlist Akunbekov, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev have also agreed to work out roadmaps for joint fisheries projects.
Russia’s Helix Laboratories have set up a medical diagnostics centre and several clinics in Armenia. The company is Russia’s fourth largest medical diagnosis practice and also operates in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Saudi Arabia has increased the number of approved Russian milk producers to 26 following increasing demand for quality dairy products. The Saudi dairy market is growing as consumers look for healthy lifestyles and has an expected CAGR annual growth rate of 4% between 2026 and 2034. Russia is the world’s fourth largest producer of dairy products.
Russia has begun exporting mustard powder to China, with the State watchdog giving approvals. The condiment is used in Chinese hors d’oeuvre as a hot sauce. Chinese demand exceeds domestic supplies with Russia now competing with producers from North America to gain a foothold in the Chinese market.
Russia’s exports of sunflower oil to India are up 34.7% in value in the first seven months of this year. Russia is India’s biggest supplier of sunflower oil, which is used extensively in Indian cuisine.
Russia’s E-Scooter Service ‘Whoosh’ has begun operations in two more cities in Brazil – Curitiba and Campos do Jordao. This brings the number of cities supplied by Whoosh in Brazil to seven. Whoosh has over 15,000 e-scooters in the country and is expanding elsewhere in Latin America.
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