RUSSIAN EXPORTS TO CIS COUNTRIES DOWN.

Data just released by Russia´s Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations for the period January-August 1995 show a continuing decline in Russian exports to CIS member countries. Total exports were down 4 percent in value, and by larger margins in volume, in most categories of goods. The discrepancy between the two declining curves stemmed from the higher prices charged for Russian energy and raw material exports even as actual volumes declined. Steel and nonferrous metal products, timber, rubber, and fertilizers led the downturn. The total value of Russian exports amounted to $ 8.7 billion, with the lion´s share going to Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan ( $3.13, $1.6, and $0.95 billion, respectively). Russia recorded a $1.6 billion surplus for the period, mainly due to high returns on its declining energy exports. For example, oil deliveries to CIS states were down 18 percent but the revenue from them was up 4 percent over the same period last year. (16) The downward trend is attributable chiefly to declining production in Russia, a reorientation of its commodity exports toward the West, and shrinking demand for some traditional Russian imports in most CIS countries.

1. Interfax, Itar-Tass, October 10

2. Itar-TASS, October 10

3. Reuter, October 9

4. Interfax, October 10

5. Interfax, Radio 1, October 10

6. Itar-Tass, October 10

7. Russian television, October 8; Russian Public TV, October 9; Interfax, Itar-Tass, October 10

8. Itar-Tass, Russian TV, October 10

9. Itar-Tass, October 10

10. Itar-Tass, October 10

11. BNS, October 10

12. Interfax-Ukraine, October 10

13. Flux, October 9

14. Interfax, October 9 and 10

15. Interfax, October 10

The Monitor is a publication of the Jamestown Foundation. It is researched and written under the direction of senior analysts Jonas Bernstein, Vladimir Socor, Stephen Foye, and analysts Ilya Malyakin, Oleg Varfolomeyev and Ilias Bogatyrev. If you have any questions regarding the content of the Monitor, please contact the foundation. If you would like information on subscribing to the Monitor, or have any comments, suggestions or questions, please contact us by e-mail at pubs@jamestown.org, by fax at 301-562-8021, or by postal mail at The Jamestown Foundation, 4516 43rd Street NW, Washington DC 20016. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of the Monitor is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright (c) 1983-2002 The Jamestown Foundation Site Maintenance by Johnny Flash Productions