Belarus’ economic growth slows down to 2.8 percent in January-April

May 16, Pozirk. The Belarusian economy grew by 2.8 percent year on year in the first four months of 2025 after posting a 3.1 percent expansion in the first quarter of the year, the National Statistics Committee (Biełstat) says.

Cargo transportation has been declining for four consecutive months, falling 1.6 percent in January and 3 percent in January-April.

Belarus’ retail trade totaled 31 billion rubels (about $10.3 billion) in January-April, a rise of 10 percent, similar to the values recorded since February.

Agricultural production across all categories, including agricultural companies, farmers and population, rose by 1.5 percent year on year in January-March, after 6.9-percent growth posted in the first quarter of 2024.

Belarusians’ disposable income (net of taxes, fees and contributions, adjusted for inflation) rose by 12 percent in March.

The government projects GDP growth of 4.1 percent for 2025.

Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its forecast for Belarus’ economic growth, predicting a 2.8 percent increase in GDP this year.

Economy Politics

Economy, Politics

MEPs to vote on tariffs on fertilizers, produce from Russia, Belarus

May 15, Pozirk. The European Parliament reports that its international trade committee has backed a 50-percent raise in tariffs on some Russian and Belarusian agricultural products "to further reduce EU dependency." The new tariffs will affect products such as sugars, …

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