Demand for Foreign Currency Exceeded Supply in September for the First Time in Six Months

Reform.news Editorial Team · 6 October 2026, 14:18

https://reform.news/en/demand-for-foreign-currency-exceeded-supply-in-september-for-the-first-time-in-six-months/

In Belarus, demand for foreign currency exceeded supply by $264.5 million in September. The balance of the foreign exchange market shifted in favor of demand for the first time since March. This is indicated by fresh data from the National Bank.

Foreign exchange market turnover totaled $11.27 billion in September. It fell by $300 million compared with August. September’s foreign exchange market turnover was also 5.6% lower than a year earlier.

Individuals bought $1.11 billion worth of foreign currency in September and sold $1.31 billion, providing net supply of $206.8 million.

Banks bought $6.3 billion worth of foreign currency last month and sold $6.32 billion. They were net sellers of foreign currency to the amount of $19.8 million.

Non-residents bought $222.6 million worth of foreign currency in September and sold $408.1 million, providing net supply of $185.4 million.

Belarusian businesses bought $3.6 billion worth of foreign currency over the same period and sold only $2.94 billion. This was the lowest monthly volume of foreign currency sales by Belarusian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs since the beginning of the year. As a result, their net demand for foreign currency amounted to $676.6 million.

Foreign exchange market turnover totaled $112.9 billion in January-September. It increased by 17.6% compared with the same period last year.

Individuals bought $10.26 billion worth of foreign currency in January-September and sold $12.08 billion, providing net supply of $1.82 billion.

Banks bought $59.82 billion worth of foreign currency over the same period and sold $59.83 billion. They were net sellers of foreign currency to the amount of $10 million.

Non-residents bought $2.42 billion worth of foreign currency in the first nine months and sold $3.59 billion, providing net supply of $1.18 billion.

Belarusian businesses bought $33.28 billion worth of foreign currency over the same period and sold $31.71 billion. Their net demand for foreign currency amounted to $1.57 billion.