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Russian trade in goods with South Africa in Q4 2018

by Russian Foreign Trade
based on data from the Federal Customs Service of Russia
The Report on Russia’s foreign trade in goods with South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2018: exports, imports, products, dynamics.

Russia’s Trade with South Africa

In the 4th quarter of 2018, Russia’s trade with South Africa totaled $269,630,483, up 34.96% ($69,846,812) from the 4th quarter of 2017.

Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 totaled $61,441,262, up 20.90% ($10,621,987) from the 4th quarter of 2017.

Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 totaled $208,189,221, up 39.76% ($59,224,825) from the 4th quarter of 2017.

Russia’s trade deficit with South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 was $146,747,959, a 49.52% increase ($48,602,838) over the 4th quarter of 2017.

South Africa was Russia’s 69th largest trading partner in the 4th quarter of 2018 (up from 72nd in the 4th quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.1443% of Russia’s total trade (up from 0.1195% in the 4th quarter of 2017).

South Africa was Russia’s 86th largest export market in the 4th quarter of 2018 (up from 87th in the 4th quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.0494% of Russia’s total exports (just as in the 4th quarter of 2017).

South Africa was Russia’s 44th largest supplier in the 4th quarter of 2018 (up from 52nd in the 4th quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.3339% of Russia’s total imports (up from 0.2317% in the 4th quarter of 2017).

Russia’s Exports to South Africa

The major share of Russian exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 (and in the 4th quarter of 2017) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 27.67% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (4.54% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 24.36% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (24.51% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Wood and wood products (HS codes 44-49) - 23.25% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (21.65% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 13.25% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (30.91% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 7.30% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (7.14% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 3.53% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (10.58% in the 4th quarter of 2017).

The largest gains in Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 over the 4th quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes (HS code 27) - an increase of $14,691,575;
  • Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard (HS code 48) - an increase of $4,366,126;
  • Cereals (HS code 10) - an increase of $1,347,236;
  • Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates (HS code 03) - an increase of $1,090,525;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - an increase of $530,187;
  • Plastics and articles thereof (HS code 39) - an increase of $465,275;
  • Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof (HS code 87) - an increase of $439,744;
  • Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (HS code 44) - an increase of $363,510;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - an increase of $271,825.

The largest declines in Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 over the 4th quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Fertilizers (HS code 31) - a decrease of $8,024,047;
  • Iron and steel (HS code 72) - a decrease of $2,253,882;
  • Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; waste and scrap of paper or paperboard (HS code 47) - a decrease of $1,446,885;
  • Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal (HS code 82) - a decrease of $637,934;
  • Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 85) - a decrease of $383,128;
  • Aluminum and articles thereof (HS code 76) - a decrease of $293,864.
Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of exports
in Q4 2018,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total export Value of exports
in Q4 2017,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q4 2018
over Q4 2017
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 1,090,525 1.77 0
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 36,135 0.06 96,510-62.56
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices 129,878 0.21 78,80564.81
10 Cereals 13,385,710 21.79 12,038,47411.19
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten 0 0.00 2-100.00
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 0 0.00 10,356-100.00
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 209 0.00 0
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers’ wares 100 0.00 0
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 316,568 0.52 233,23435.73
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 7,181 0.01 0
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 17,000,843 27.67 2,309,268636.20
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 2,227,580 3.63 2,340,024-4.81
30 Pharmaceutical products 8,600 0.01 1814,651.38
31 Fertilizers 3,094,630 5.04 11,118,677-72.17
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 2,136 0.00 262715.27
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 12,406 0.02 23,643-47.53
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modeling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster 0 0.00 4,068-100.00
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 0 0.00 8-100.00
36 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations 0 0.00 25,367-100.00
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 507,634 0.83 400,51226.75
39 Plastics and articles thereof 722,499 1.18 257,224180.88
40 Rubber and articles thereof 1,566,245 2.55 1,537,4901.87
41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 8,618 0.01 0
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 1,874 0.00 1,59217.71
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 1,098,793 1.79 735,28349.44
47 Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; waste and scrap of paper or paperboard 2,727,378 4.44 4,174,263-34.66
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 10,451,601 17.01 6,085,47571.75
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans 7,823 0.01 9,591-18.43
52 Cotton 0 0.00 77-100.00
54 Man-made filaments 108,984 0.18 47,513129.38
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns, twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 131,725 0.21 99,43332.48
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 4,210 0.01 3111,253.70
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 0 0.00 2,240-100.00
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 5,201 0.01 5,826-10.73
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 182 0.00 4,070-95.53
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 0 0.00 16,876-100.00
65 Headgear and parts thereof 0 0.00 234-100.00
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 6,637 0.01 3,071116.12
69 Ceramic products 31,174 0.05 4027,654.73
70 Glass and glassware 1,292 0.00 17,726-92.71
72 Iron and steel 1,944,709 3.17 4,198,591-53.68
73 Articles of iron or steel 39,884 0.06 62,290-35.97
74 Copper and articles thereof 593 0.00 2,884-79.44
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 175,974 0.29 469,838-62.55
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 5,980 0.01 643,914-99.07
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0 0.00 628-100.00
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 808,314 1.32 536,48950.67
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 979,772 1.59 1,362,900-28.11
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds 0 0.00 94-100.00
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 948,196 1.54 508,45286.49
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 1,749,770 2.85 1,219,58343.47
92 Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles 300 0.00 310-3.23
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated sign illuminated nameplates and the like; prefabricated buildings 174 0.00 1,467-88.14
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 10,213 0.02 3,428197.93
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 115 0.00 130,319-99.91
SS Classified 82,897 0.13 0

Russia’s Imports from South Africa

The major share of Russian imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 (and in the 4th quarter of 2017) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 37.13% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (34.56% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 30.23% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (30.94% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 18.82% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (11.27% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 9.05% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (13.90% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 3.23% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (9.00% in the 4th quarter of 2017);
  • Precious metals and stones (HS code 71) - 1.29% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (0.12% in the 4th quarter of 2017).

The largest gains in Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 over the 4th quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Ores, slag and ash (HS code 26) - an increase of $25,808,284;
  • Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes (HS code 28) - an increase of $22,506,217;
  • Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons (HS code 08) - an increase of $14,461,779;
  • Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants (HS code 20) - an increase of $3,547,602;
  • Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones,precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewelry; coin (HS code 71) - an increase of $2,510,867;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - an increase of $1,073,027.

The largest declines in Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 over the 4th quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Iron and steel (HS code 72) - a decrease of $6,517,689;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $2,124,681;
  • Beverages, spirits and vinegar (HS code 22) - a decrease of $1,664,826;
  • Organic chemicals (HS code 29) - a decrease of $974,843.
Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2018 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of imports in Q4 2018,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total import Value of imports in Q4 2017,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q4 2018
over Q4 2017
06 Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage 101,060 0.05 243,615-58.52
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 51,302 0.02 15,839223.90
08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 46,830,323 22.49 32,368,54444.68
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices 37,754 0.02 3759,967.73
10 Cereals 485,920 0.23 91,023433.84
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten 0 0.00 3,191-100.00
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 435,079 0.21 284,44552.96
13 Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts 0 0.00 7,441-100.00
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes 6,197 0.00 38,767-84.01
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 2,725 0.00 3,120-12.66
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers’ wares 0 0.00 275-100.00
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants 6,893,507 3.31 3,345,905106.03
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 56,697 0.03 5,0891,014.11
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 7,992,970 3.84 9,657,796-17.24
23 Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed 25,299 0.01 27,929-9.42
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 14,042 0.01 0
25 Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement 930,870 0.45 806,54215.41
26 Ores, slag and ash 76,308,843 36.65 50,500,55951.10
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 57,471 0.03 181,006-68.25
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 36,298,520 17.44 13,792,303163.18
29 Organic chemicals 713,778 0.34 1,688,621-57.73
30 Pharmaceutical products 14,901 0.01 80,454-81.48
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 330,088 0.16 269,86922.31
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 292,704 0.14 21,4611,263.89
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modeling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster 518,731 0.25 64,330706.36
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 46,634 0.02 4639,972.14
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 256,888 0.12 381,062-32.59
39 Plastics and articles thereof 325,433 0.16 99,757226.23
40 Rubber and articles thereof 391,249 0.19 390,8590.10
41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 5,045 0.00 0
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 19,541 0.01 12,43057.21
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 4,297 0.00 10,269-58.16
45 Cork and articles of cork 1 0.00 10.00
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 15,643 0.01 13,52615.65
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans 16,451 0.01 6,301161.09
50 Silk 588 0.00 0
51 Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric 32,373 0.02 4726,758.69
52 Cotton 183 0.00 0
54 Man-made filaments 276,007 0.13 64,356328.88
55 Man-made staple fibers 0 0.00 100,440-100.00
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns, twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 0 0.00 11-100.00
57 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 0 0.00 3,803-100.00
58 Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace, tapestries; trimmings; embroidery 8,223 0.00 2,290259.08
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 27,685 0.01 3,287742.26
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 3,176 0.00 1,190166.89
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 784 0.00 0
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 10,167 0.00 0
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 20,652 0.01 0
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 1,892 0.00 21,224-91.09
69 Ceramic products 2,601 0.00 31,718-91.80
70 Glass and glassware 3,749 0.00 22,490-83.33
71 Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones,precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewelry; coin 2,688,233 1.29 177,3661,415.64
72 Iron and steel 5,625,086 2.70 12,142,775-53.68
73 Articles of iron or steel 433,737 0.21 276,09157.10
74 Copper and articles thereof 2,890 0.00 16,855-82.85
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 315,277 0.15 575,491-45.22
78 Lead and articles thereof 0 0.00 29-100.00
79 Zinc and articles thereof 132,554 0.06 226,825-41.56
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof 43,865 0.02 0
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 165,887 0.08 162,2342.25
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 4,414 0.00 3,38430.44
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 3,718,771 1.79 5,843,452-36.36
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 783,867 0.38 644,49821.62
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds 237,627 0.11 852,493-72.13
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 12,981,087 6.24 13,305,503-2.44
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 1,128,764 0.54 55,7371,925.16
91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof 0 0.00 1,782-100.00
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated sign illuminated nameplates and the like; prefabricated buildings 5,121 0.00 9,120-43.85
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 2,450 0.00 2,496-1.84
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 12,636 0.01 3,817231.05
SS Classified 38,912 0.02 0
Russian foreign trade statistics
Source: Federal Customs Service of Russia