Mongolia experienced a significant reduction in its trade surplus, which decreased to USD 194.8 million in June 2025, a sharp decline from the USD 548.8 million recorded in the same month the previous year. This contraction was largely due to a 22.8% year-on-year decrease in exports, which fell to USD 1,183 million, while imports experienced a slight increase of 0.5%, reaching USD 988 million.
During the first half of the year, from January to June, the trade surplus diminished significantly to USD 1,053.2 million, compared to USD 2,511.1 million during the same period the year before. This decline was driven by a 16.6% reduction in exports, which totaled USD 6,581.4 million. Key export items included coal, washed cashmere, crude oil, sheep and goat meat, as well as iron ore and concentrates. China remained the dominant destination for Mongolian exports, accounting for 91.7% of these shipments, with coal and copper ores and concentrates representing the majority (44%) of the exports.
On the import front, there was a 2.8% increase in imports, amounting to USD 5,528.2 million. This rise was mainly attributable to increased purchases of passenger cars, vehicle spare parts and components, mobile phones, and alcoholic beverages. The largest proportion of imports came from China (38.3%), followed by Russia (23.6%), and Japan (12.7%).
