Russia’s Exports to Unfriendly Countries Now Just 18% of the Annual Total

The share of friendly countries in Russia’s foreign trade has increased from 46% to 82% over the past three years, including more than 85% of export deliveries now going to these countries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has stated. He was speaking at a government strategic meeting, “Training personnel in foreign economic activity to achieve national development goals.”

Novak said that “Target indicators show that Russia’s trade with friendly countries has grown over the past three years from 46% to 82% and has reached about US$550 billion. Today, our exports are reoriented to friendly countries more than 85%. As for imports, they already account for around 75%. Russia has actively redirected its trade from Europe and the United States to the markets of friendly countries. This primarily includes China, India, Central Asian countries, Africa, and the Middle East. All of this now allows us to expand our geographic reach and strengthen economic integration.”

In addition, non-resource, non-energy exports occupy a growing share in the structure of Russia’s foreign trade, he said.

According to the latest published data from the Federal Customs Service (FCS) on exports and imports, Russia’s foreign trade turnover in January-April 2025 amounted to US$213.9 billion, down 2.9% compared to January-April 2024. Exports of goods from Russia in January-April 2025 decreased 5.9% year-on-year to US$128.2 billion, while imports grew 1.8% to US$84.2 billion.

Exports of goods from Russia to Europe in January-April 2025 amounted to US$19.2 billion, down 11.0%; to Asia, US$97.6 billion, down 4.1%; to Africa, US$6.9 billion, down 11.3%; and to the Americas, US$4.3 billion, down 10.4%. Imports to Russia from Europe in January-April 2025 totaled US$21.9 billion, down 1.6%; from Asia, US$57.5 billion, up 2.4%; from Africa, US$1.5 billion, up 35.6%; and from the Americas, US$4.8 billion, up 6.7%.

Russia’s positive foreign trade balance amounted to US$150.9 billion in 2024, up 7.8% from 2023. (US$140.0 billion). Exports of goods from Russia in 2024 increased 2.0% YoY to US$433.9 billion, while imports decreased 0.8% to US$283.0 billion.