According to the results of January-September 2023, the foreign trade turnover of goods of the Republic of Belarus exceeded USD 61 billion, an increase of 13.1 percent. Imports of goods are growing at a faster pace than exports, which led to the formation of a negative balance at the level of USD 2.1 billion. It is worth noting that the positive contribution to exports was mainly made by trade with CIS countries, and to imports – with countries outside the CIS. The same situation has developed with the balance of foreign trade in goods – in the CIS countries almost plus USD 3 billion, and in countries outside the CIS minus USD 5 billion.
This general dynamic picture can be supplemented with a number of static aspects. In fact, September became the month in which exports of goods reached the maximum (for the current year and for the first 9 months of 2022) value of USD 3537.8 million, which for the first time in 2023 led to the formation of a positive balance at the end of the month. Also, September showed the maximum level of exports and the minimum level of imports of goods to non-CIS countries for the past period of 2023.
Regional dynamics in foreign trade in goods is seriously different due to the specifics of the specialization of economic regional complexes, as well as the difference between their main external partners.
The export of goods in January-September increased only in the Vitebsk region (by 1.7 times) and the capital region (the city by 6.3 percent, the region by 14.6). In terms of the value of exports, the same territories are in the lead, in a different order – the Minsk region, the city of Minsk, the Vitebsk region.
In terms of imports, the absolute leader both in terms of growth dynamics and in terms of value is the capital, which is due to the specifics of the supply of imported products through dealers and centralized deliveries controlled by business entities registered in Minsk.
It is worth noting that in the dynamics of foreign trade in goods in the geographical context, the trend is generally dominated by the dominance of supplies to/ from the CIS countries (up to 89.8 percent in exports, up to 87.3 percent in imports). The exception is the dominance of non-CIS countries in the export of the Vitebsk region (74.6 percent). Brest region, Minsk and Minsk region are more dependent on imports from non-CIS countries.
The positive balance of foreign trade in goods is formed in all regions with the exception of the city of Minsk and the Gomel region. The largest positive contribution is made by Minsk (2.6 billion US dollars) and Vitebsk (1.9 billion US dollars) regions.
Progressive steps to build new logistics chains, stabilize economic conditions and reorient market participants give positive effects in foreign trade in goods: cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation is being strengthened, partnership with the countries of the "far arc" is developing. Belarusian products are becoming recognizable and in demand in new markets.