FX.co ★ Russian Trade Surplus Rises to 18-Month High

In September 2025, Russia reported a trade surplus of $13.6 billion, an increase from the $11.9 billion surplus noted during the same period the previous year. This marks the highest surplus in over a year, attributed to the country's struggling economy, which led to a more significant reduction in imports compared to exports. Imports decreased by 7.2% year-on-year to reach $25 billion, as both Russian consumers and businesses reduced their consumption of foreign goods, despite the ruble's appreciation. Concurrently, exports fell by 4.1% to $38.1 billion. The decline was driven by lower oil prices and reduced demand for commodities from China, a principal trading partner, as key Russian industries remain largely excluded from Western markets.