The FINANCIAL — In January-April 2018 external merchandise trade (excluding non-declared trade) of Georgia amounted to USD 3 783.2 million, 22.1 percent higher year-on-year.
The exports equaled USD 961.4 million (22.0 percent higher), while the imports stood at USD 2 821.8 million (22.2 percent higher). The negative trade balance was USD 1 860.5 million in January-April 2018 and its share in external trade turnover constituted 49.2 percent. Export excluding re-export amounted to USD 705.6 million, 11.0 percent higher year-on-year, according to GeoStat.
In January-April 2018 the external trade turnover of Georgia with the EU countries amounted to USD 1 070.1 million, grew by 25.7 percent compared to the corresponding indicator of the previous year. Exports amounted to USD 241.8 million (23.7 percent higher), while imports amounted to USD 828.4 million (26.3 percent higher). The share of these countries in the external trade turnover of Georgia amounted to 28.3 percent, 25.1 percent in exports and 29.4 percent in imports (in January-April 2017 27.5, 24.8 and 28.4 percent correspondingly). 31.5 percent of the trade deficit came to the EU countries (30.3 percent in January-April 2017).
In January-April 2018 the external trade turnover of Georgia with the CIS countries totaled USD 1 320.5 million (higher by 28.6 percent compared to the January-April 2017). Exports stood at USD 430.0 million (45.6 percent higher), while imports equaled USD 890.5 million (21.7 percent higher). The share of the CIS countries in the external trade turnover of Georgia constituted 34.9 percent, 44.7 percent in exports and 31.6 percent in imports (In January-April 2017 33.1, 37.5 and 31.7 percent, respectively). In January-April 2018 compared to previous year, CIS countries accounted for 24.8 percent of the overall trade deficit (28.7 percent in January- April 2017).
In January-April 2018 share of the top ten trading partners in the total external trade turnover of Georgia amounted to 66.6 percent. The top trading partners were Turkey (USD 547.6 million), Russia (USD 421.8 million) and Azerbaijan (USD 363.3 million).
Major commodity groups by exports and imports
In January-April 2018 Copper ores and concentrates reclaimed the first place in the list of top export items, equaling USD 135.0 million, or 14.0 percent of total exports. Exports Ferro-alloys of totaled USD 114.8 million and its share in the total exports amounted to 11.9 percent. Motor cars occupied the third place. Exports of this commodity group stood at USD 90.2 million and 9.4 percent of the total exports.
The top import commodities in January-April 2018 were Petroleum and petroleum oils imports of which amounted to USD 251.5 million and 8.9 percent of the total imports. Motor cars followed in the list with USD 164.5 million, or 5.8 percent of imports. Petroleum gases came third with USD 151.6 million (5.4 percent of imports).
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