Russia’s Foreign Trade in 2017

Alexander Knobel – Head of Foreign Trade Department, Center for Real Sector of the Gaidar Institute; Director of the Center for Foreign Trade Department, Institute for Applied Economic Studies, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Candidate of Economic Sciences. Е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alexander Firanchuk – Senior Research fellow of the Center for Foreign Trade Department, Institute for Applied Economic Studies, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In 2017, exports of fuel and energy commodities as compared to 2018 increased by 27% (57% on the 2013 level). Exports of other commodities grew by 22%, having virtually returned to the pre-crisis values (94% on the 2013 level). Growth in exports of fuel and energy commodities, metals, raw rubber and timber is primarily related to substantial improvement of the pricing situation, while that in exports of mineral fertilizers and grain, to growth in volume terms. 

Within a year, imports increased by 25% on the back of growing import prices and supply volumes. Appreciation of the exchange rate of the rouble had a positive effect on import volumes. 

Key words: export, import, export prices, import prices, regional pattern of trade turnover.