In April 2018, exports increased 8.3% y/y to US$ 229.2mn, imports were up 22.0% y/y to US$ 727.4mn and the trade deficit widened 29.5% y/y to US$ 498.2mn, according to GeoStat.
In April 2018, ferro-alloys (-0.8% y/y), cars (+105.8% y/y), copper (+59.6% y/y), wine (+50.3% y/y) and spirits (+36.8% y/y) were the top 5 exported commodities. A 14.1% of exports was directed to the EU (-10.3% y/y), 55.4% to the CIS (+40.2% y/y) and 30.5% to other countries (-17.8% y/y).
In April 2018, petroleum (+10.6% y/y), cars (+3.2% y/y), copper (+6.9% y/y), pharmaceuticals (+20.7% y/y) and gases (-10.1% y/y) represented the top 5 imported commodities.
Overall, in 4M18, the trade deficit was up 22.3% y/y at US$ 1.9bn as exports were up 22.0% y/y to US$ 961.4mn, while imports increased 22.3% y/y to US$ 2.8bn.
Producer price index down 0.1% m/m and up 7.8% y/y in April 2018
PPI for industrial goods was down 0.1% m/m in April 2018, according to GeoStat. A 0.1% price decrease for manufacturing contributed the most to the overall index change. Annual PPI was up 7.8% in April 2018. Rising prices in manufacturing (+6.8% y/y) contributed the most to the overall index change. Prices were also up for supply of electricity, gas and water (+13.2% y/y).
