Armenia's foreign trade grew by 72.9% in January-June 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 to about $8.9 billion, the National Statistical Committee (NSC) reported.
It said in June 2023 alone, the foreign trade grew by about $1.5 billion, having increased by 21% compared to June 2022 and decreased by 9.9% compared to May 2023.
Foreign trade turnover with CIS countries amounted to about $3.3 billion, increasing by 83.8% compared to the same period last year.
Armenia's largest foreign trade partners in the CIS were Russia-about $3.1 b billion, up 87.3% compared to six months of 2022, Belarus -$92.7 million, up 59.5% and Ukraine -$46.2 million, up 23.2%.
Armenia's foreign trade with the EU countries amounted to over $1.4 billion with a 44.1% growth. The top five largest trade partners were Germany - about $348.6 million, up 81.4%, the Netherlands -over $205.6 million, up 46.9%, Italy -about $200 million, up 41%, Poland - $110.2 million, up 3.1 times and France -$80.4 million, up 71.4%.
Armenia’s trade with Iran grew by 11.8% to $344.2 million. Trade with Japan grew by more than 5 times to $222.9 million. Trade with Georgia dropped by almost 18% to $132.2 million. Trade with Iraq fell by 6.8% to $101 million.
Armenian exports increased by 72.8% to over $3.2 billion. Exports to CIS countries amounted to about $1.8 billion, having increased 3 times.
Exports to the EU states decreased by 11.7% compared to January-June 2022 to $376.3 million. The bulk of exports were precious and semi-precious stones, precious metal -$687.5 million, 2.3 times growth, machinery, equipment and mechanisms - $567. 5 million, 8.4 times growth and finished food products- $416. 6 million, 17.7% growth.
Armenia’s imports in the first half of 2023 amounted to over $5.6 billion, an increase of 73% compared to January-June 2022.
Imports from CIS countries totaled over $1.5 billion, up 26.7% y-o-y. Imports from Russia upped by 28.6% to $1.4 billion.
Imports from the EU countries increased by 87% to over $1 billion . Also, imports from China upped by 60% to $804.3 million, imports from the United States more than tripled to $367.6 million.
The bulk of imports were machinery and equipment – about $1.2 billion, 2.4 times growth, land, air and water vehicles – over $1 billion, 4.4 times growth, precious and semi-precious stones- $636.4 million, 3.1-fold growth and mining industry goods - $543.1 million 4.1% decline, ARKA reports.
