EU28 trade in goods deficit with Russia fell slightly

In the first nine months of 2013, compared with the first nine months of 2012, EU28 exports to Russia fell slightly from 91 bn euro to 90 bn, and imports decreased from 159 bn to 156 bn

From 2002 to 2012, EU28 international trade in goods with Russia was characterised by a strong increase and a continuous deficit. Both exports and imports rose continuously up to 2008, fell significantly in 2009, then recovered to reach new annual peaks in 2012. EU28 exports to Russia rose from 34.5 billion euro in 2002 to 123.4 bn in 2012, and imports grew from 65.2 bn in 2002 to 215.0 bn in 2012. As a result, the EU28 trade deficit with Russia increased from 30.7 bn in 2002 to 91.6 bn in 2012.

In the first nine months of 2013, compared with the first nine months of 2012, EU28 exports to Russia fell slightly from 91 bn euro to 90 bn, and imports decreased from 159 bn to 156 bn. As a result, the trade deficit also fell slightly from 68 bn in the first nine months of 2012 to 66 bn in the first nine months of 2013.

Accounting for around 7% of total EU28 exports of goods and 12% of total EU28 imports, Russia is the EU28‘s third most important trading partner after the USA and China.

On the occasion of the 32^nd European Union – Russia summit, which will take place on 28 January 2014 in Brussels, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, issues the latest data on trade and investments between Russia and the EU.

Germany accounts for almost a third of EU28 exports to Russia and nearly a fifth of EU28 imports from Russia

Among the EU28 Member States, Germany (27.4 bn euro or 30% of EU exports) was by far the largest exporter to Russia in the first nine months of 2013, followed by Italy (8.0 bn or 9%), the Netherlands and Poland (both 6.1 bn or 7%) and France (6.0 bn or 7%). Germany (28.8 bn or 19% of EU imports) was also the largest importer, followed by the Netherlands¹ (22.4 bn or 14%), Italy (14.9 bn or 10%) and Poland (13.9 bn or 9%).

Twenty Member States recorded deficits in trade with Russia in the first nine months of 2013, the largest being observed in the Netherlands¹ (-16.3 bn euro), Poland (-7.8 bn), Italy (-6.8 bn) and Greece (-4.8 bn). Surpluses were modest, the highest being recorded in Austria (+1.2 bn).

Just over 85% of EU28 exports to Russia in the first nine months of 2013 were manufactured goods, while energy accounted for nearly 80% of imports.

EU28 international trade in goods with Russia and the world 

billion euro