OREANDA-NEWS. On 06 August 2009 was announced, that Belarus’ foreign commodity trade deficit amounted to USD 3.949 billion in January-June 2009, compared to the USD 2.231 billion deficit in January-June 2008, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Exports fell 47.7 in January-June year-on-year, and imports decreased 33.4%.

Exports from Belarus reached USD 9.007 billion as of July 1, 2009. This included USD 3.97 billion worth of exports to CIS states, down 47.7% on the year, including exports to Russia, which stood at USD 2.96 billion, down 46.9%. Exports to non-CIS countries amounted to USD 5.036 billion as of July 1, 2009, down 47.8% on the year. Exports to Germany fell 34.7% to USD 294.3 million.

Belarusian imports were at USD 12.956 billion as of July 1, 2009. Belarus’ imports from CIS countries fell 39.5% to USD 8.239 billion, including imports from Russia at USD 7.565 billion, down 39% on the year. Imports from non-CIS countries went down 19.4% on the year to USD 4.717 billion, which includes USD 960.1 million worth of imports from Germany, a decline of 20.9%.

The deficit of commodity trade with CIS countries came to USD 4.269 billion, down 29.1% on the year in the period. The deficit of commodity trade with Russia fell 32.6% year-on-year in January-June to USD 4.605 million. In trade with Ukraine, Belarus showed a USD 100.9 million surplus.

The surplus of foreign trade with countries outside the CIS reached USD 319.6 million in January-June 2009, compared to a USD 3.79 billion surplus in January-June 2008. Trade with Germany came to a USD 665.8 million deficit in January-June 2009, down from USD 762.7 million in January-June 2008.

The CIS accounts for 55.6% of Belarus’ trade turnover, and Russia accounts for 47.9%, while non-CIS foreign states are responsible for 44.4%. As of July 1, 2008, the figures were at 57.8%, 49%, and 42.2%.