Russian Trade Surplus Widens in August

2026-10-12 13:56 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

The Russian trade surplus widened to $11.74 billion in August of 2026 from $7.27 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, the highest for the month since 2022.

Exports soared by 27.8% annually to $40.93 billion, supported by higher foreign turnover on energy commodities as the blockade of tankers leaving the Persian Gulf drove global oil and fuel prices to surge, increasing Asian demand for Russian oil alternatives.

Energy exports are due to be capped starting September as strikes on Russian refineries by Ukrainian drones drove Moscow to prohibit the export of diesel.

Meanwhile, imports rose a softer 17.9% to $29.19 billion.



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Russian Trade Surplus Widens in August
The Russian trade surplus widened to $11.74 billion in August of 2026 from $7.27 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, the highest for the month since 2022. Exports soared by 27.8% annually to $40.93 billion, supported by higher foreign turnover on energy commodities as the blockade of tankers leaving the Persian Gulf drove global oil and fuel prices to surge, increasing Asian demand for Russian oil alternatives. Energy exports are due to be capped starting September as strikes on Russian refineries by Ukrainian drones drove Moscow to prohibit the export of diesel. Meanwhile, imports rose a softer 17.9% to $29.19 billion.
2026-10-12
Russia Trade Surplus Widens in June
The Russian trade surplus widened to USD 12.5 billion in June of 2026 from USD 8.2 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Exports climbed by 32.6% year-on-year to USD 43.3 billion, the highest this year, supported by stronger energy revenues as oil and gas prices remained elevated amid disruptions to tanker flows from the Persian Gulf following the escalation of the war in the Middle East. Higher global energy prices boosted the value of Russian crude and gas shipments, while the easing of some US sanctions also supported exports. Meanwhile, imports rose by 26% to USD 30.8 billion, reflecting stronger purchases of machinery, equipment and transport vehicles as domestic demand and investment remained resilient.
2026-08-11
Russia Trade Surplus Widens in May
The Russian trade surplus widened to $14.2 billion in May of 2026 from $7.4 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Exports surged by 32.4% annually to $42.8 billion, the highest this year and the sharpest increase in four years. Sales were supported by larger energy sales after the outbreak of war in the Middle East halted tanker flows from the Persian Gulf and lifted oil and gas prices across the globe. Besides higher prices, Russian oil companies also benefited from the loosened sanctions from the US as Washington attempted to tame the surge in energy costs. Meanwhile, imports rose by 14.8% to $28.7 billion.
2026-07-13