Belarus. Foreign Trade Deficit Rises to $4.55 Billion in January–September

Belstat has published data on foreign trade in goods for January–September. In September, the largest monthly deficit of the year was recorded at $741 million. As a result, over the nine-month period, imports exceeded exports by $4.55 billion. The main contributor to the increase in the deficit in September was a deterioration in trade performance with CIS countries.

According to Belstat, in January–September Belarusian exports of goods fell by 2.9% to $29.59 billion, while imports grew by 1.6% to $34.14 billion. The resulting deficit of $4.55 billion was 45.3% higher than in the same period last year.

Exports of goods to CIS countries over the nine months rose by only 0.3% to $21.73 billion. Imports from these countries increased by 1.3% to $19.8 billion. The trade surplus with the CIS amounted to $1.93 billion, down 9.5% year-on-year.

Belarusian exports beyond the CIS fell by 10.6% to $7.86 billion over the first three quarters, while imports from this group of countries rose by 2% to $14.34 billion. The deficit in trade with non-CIS countries reached $6.48 billion, 23.1% higher than last year.

In September, Belarusian exports of goods fell by 6% to $3.51 billion, while imports also declined by 1.6%. The deficit of $741 million was 21.7% higher than in the same month last year.

Exports to CIS countries in September decreased by 0.6% to $2.62 billion, while imports rose by 17.5% to $2.57 billion. The trade surplus with CIS countries in September amounted to only $55 million, nine times less than a year earlier.

Exports to non-CIS countries in September plunged by 19% to $886.1 million. Imports from these countries also dropped sharply, falling by 22% to $1.68 billion. The trade deficit with non-CIS states stood at $796.1 million, 25% lower than last year.