Trade surplus narrows as imports outpace exports – central bank

April 10, Pozirk. Belarus’ foreign trade rose by 1.3 percent year on year to $14.9 billion in January-February, said the central bank citing preliminary data.

Exports rose by 0.6 percent to $7.45 billion, while imports increased by 2 percent to $7.43 billion. The surplus narrowed to $23.1 million.

Trade in goods rose by 2 percent to $12.8 billion with exports climbing by 1.4 percent to $6.2 billion and imports, by 2.3 percent to $6.6 billion. The deficit of trade in goods widened to $399.2 million.

Trade in services dropped by 2.6 percent to $2.1 billion with exports falling by 3.9 percent to 1.3 billion and imports, by 0.6 percent to $851 million. The surplus amounted to $422.3 million.

In October 2023, the Belarusian leader approved key economic targets for 2024, projecting a rise in exports of goods and services of 7.6 percent.

Earlier, the central bank reported a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase in trade in goods and services in 2023 to $95.26 billion.

Also read: Biełstat: deficit in goods trade widens in February