OREANDA-NEWS. February 09, 2010. Belarus’ foreign commodity trade deficit amounted to USD 7.281 billion in 2009, compared to a USD 6.811 billion deficit in 2008, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Exports fell 34.7% in 2009 year-on-year to USD 21.282 billion, and imports decreased 27.5% to USD 28.564 billion.

Exports from Belarus included USD 9.314 billion worth of exports to CIS states, down 35% on the year, including exports to Russia, which stood at USD 6.714 billion, down 36.4%. Exports to non-CIS countries amounted to USD 11.968 billion as of January 1, 2010, down 34.4% on the year. Exports to Germany rose 21.5% to USD 986.9 million.

Belarusian imports from CIS countries fell 29.8% to USD 18.215 billion, including imports from Russia at USD 16.717 billion, down 28.9% on the year. Imports from non-CIS countries went down 23% on the year to USD 10.349 billion, which includes USD 2.216 billion worth of imports from Germany, a decline of 20.6%.

The deficit of commodity trade with CIS countries came to USD 8.901 billion, down 23.4% on the year in the period. The deficit of commodity trade with Russia fell 22.8% year-on-year in 2009 to USD 10.003 million. In trade with Ukraine, Belarus showed a USD 403.7 million surplus.

The surplus of foreign trade with countries outside the CIS reached USD 1.619 million in January-December 2009, compared to a USD 4.809 billion surplus in January-December 2008. Trade with Germany came to a USD 1.229 billion deficit in 2009, down from USD 1.98 billion in 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 January 1, 2009, the figures were at 56%, 47.3%, and 44%.