OREANDA-NEWS. December 07, 2009. Belarus’ foreign commodity trade deficit amounted to USD 5.732 billion in January-October 2009, compared to the USD 4.957 billion deficit in January-October 2008, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Exports fell 41.7 in January-October year-on-year to USD 16.952 billion, and imports decreased 33.3% to USD 22.683billion.

Exports from Belarus included USD 7.455 billion worth of exports to CIS states, down 41.8% on the year, including exports to Russia, which stood at USD 5.386 billion, down 42.6%. Exports to non-CIS countries amounted to USD 9.497 billion as of November 1, 2009, down 41.6% on the year. Exports to Germany rose 5.7% to USD 752.7 million.

Belarusian imports from CIS countries fell 37.1% to USD 14.497 billion, including imports from Russia at USD 13.308 billion, down 36.3% on the year. Imports from non-CIS countries went down 25.4% on the year to USD 8.186 billion, which includes USD 1.752 billion worth of imports from Germany, a decline of 24%.

The deficit of commodity trade with CIS countries came to USD 7.042 billion, down 31.1% on the year in the period. The deficit of commodity trade with Russia fell 31.3% year-on-year in January-October to USD 7.922 million. In trade with Ukraine, Belarus showed a USD 301.8 million surplus.

The surplus of foreign trade with countries outside the CIS reached USD 1.311 million in January-October 2009, compared to a USD 5.268 billion surplus in January-October 2008. Trade with Germany came to a USD 999.7 million deficit in January-October 2009, down from USD 1.593 billion in January-October 2008.

The CIS accounts for 55.4% of Belarus’ trade turnover, and Russia accounts for 47.2%, while non-CIS foreign states are responsible for 44.6%. As of November 1, 2008, the figures were at 56.8%, 48%, and 43.2%.