RIA Novosti reported that Russia's trade surplus slipped 2.2% YoY to USD 52.6 billion in the Q1 of 2011.

The Federal Customs Service said that exports rose 22% to USD 112.8 billion driven by high oil prices amid unrest in the Middle East and Northern Africa while the value of import almost doubled to USD 60.2 billion.

Energy resources account for the bulk of the country's exports making 73.5% of exports to non CIS countries while metals represent 10.1% and chemical products 5.5%. Energy resources account for 66.4% of exports to CIS countries, machines and equipment 8.7% and chemicals 8.4%.

Machinery and equipment represent 45.8% of Russia's imports from non CIS states while chemical products account for about 17%. Food makes 16.6%, clothes and footwear represent 6.9% metals make 5.7% of imports.

China tops the list of single nations among Russia's largest trade partners, accounting for USD 18 billion of trade turnover. Trade with China in 2010 jumped 50% on the previous year.

The European Union remains Russia's main trade partner accounting for half of the country's trade turnover while CIS countries make up some 16%.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)