OREANDA-NEWS. November 17, 2009. Belarus’ foreign commodity trade deficit amounted to USD 5.021 billion in January-September 2009, compared to the USD 4.245 billion deficit in January-September 2008, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Exports fell 43.3 in January-September year-on-year to USD 15.009 billion, and imports decreased 34.8% to USD 20.03 billion.

Exports from Belarus included USD 6.555 billion worth of exports to CIS states, down 44% on the year, including exports to Russia, which stood at USD 4.729 billion, down 44.8%. Exports to non-CIS countries amounted to USD 8.454 billion as of October 1, 2009, down 42.7% on the year. Exports to Germany fell 0.4% to USD 634.38 million.

Belarusian imports from CIS countries fell 39.3% to USD 12.789 billion, including imports from Russia at USD 11.749 billion, down 38.6% on the year. Imports from non-CIS countries went down 25% on the year to USD 7.241 billion, which includes USD 1.534 billion worth of imports from Germany, a decline of 24%.

The deficit of commodity trade with CIS countries came to USD 6.234 billion, down 33.3% on the year in the period. The deficit of commodity trade with Russia fell 33.6% year-on-year in January-September to USD 7.02 million. In trade with Ukraine, Belarus showed a USD 279.2 million surplus.

The surplus of foreign trade with countries outside the CIS reached USD 1.213 million in January-September 2009, compared to a USD 5.101 billion surplus in January-September 2008. Trade with Germany came to a USD 900.1 million deficit in January-September 2009, down from USD 1.382 billion in January-September 2008.

The CIS accounts for 55.2% of Belarus’ trade turnover, and Russia accounts for 47%, while non-CIS foreign states are responsible for 44.8%. As of October 1, 2008, the figures were at 57.3%, 48.5%, and 42.7%.