OREANDA-NEWS. May 17, 2010. Belarus’ foreign commodity trade deficit amounted to USD 1.236 billion in January-March 2010, compared to a USD 1.897 billion deficit in January-March 2009, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Exports rose 29.2% in January-March 2010 year-on-year to USD 5.27 billion, and imports increased 8.9% to USD 6.506 billion.

Exports from Belarus included USD 2 66 billion worth of supplies to CIS states, up 48.7% on the year, including exports to Russia, which stood at USD 2.119 million, up 49.3% and to Kazakhstan at USD 91.8 million, up 56.5%.

Exports to non-CIS countries amounted to USD 2.61 billion as of April 1, 2010, up 14% on the year.

Belarusian imports from CIS countries rose 6.4% to USD 4.015 billion, including imports from Russia at USD 3.644 billion, up 4.9% on the year, and from Kazakhstan at USD 14.9 million, down 13.5%.

Imports from non-CIS countries went up 13.2% on the year to USD 2.491 billion.

The deficit of commodity trade with CIS countries came to USD 1.355 million, down 31.8% on the year in the period. The deficit of commodity trade with Russia fell 23.5% year-on-year in January-March 2010 to USD 1.602 million. In trade with Kazakhstan, Belarus showed a USD 76.9 million surplus, up 90%.

The surplus of foreign trade with countries outside the CIS reached USD 119 million in January-March 2010, compared to an USD 88.9 million surplus in January-March 2009.

The CIS accounted for 56.7% of Belarus’ trade turnover in January-March 2010, Russia accounted for 48%, while non-CIS foreign states are responsible for 43.3%.