In January-February 2018 external merchandise trade (excluding non-declared trade) of Georgia amounted to USD 1 683.5 million, 16.3 percent higher year-on-year. The exports equaled USD 446.4 million (25.5 percent higher), while the imports stood at USD 1 237.1 million (13.3 percent higher). The negative trade balance was USD 790.7 million in January-February 2018 and its share in external trade turnover constituted 47.0 percent. Export excluding re-export amounted to USD 335.7 million, 16.2 percent higher year-on-year.
According to Geostat, In January-February 2018 the external trade turnover of Georgia with the EU countries amounted to USD 446.5 million, grew by 10.8 percent compared to the corresponding indicator of the previous year. Exports amounted to USD 132.5 million (30.5 percent higher), while imports amounted to USD 314.0 million (4.2 percent higher). The share of these countries in the external trade turnover of Georgia amounted to 26.5 percent, 29.7 percent in exports and 25.4 percent in imports (in January-February 2017 27.8, 28.6 and 27.6 percent correspondingly). 23.0 percent of the trade deficit came to the EU countries (27.1 percent in January-February 2017). In January-February 2018 the external trade turnover of Georgia with the CIS countries totaled USD 620.2 million (higher by 26.5 percent compared to the January-February 2017). Exports stood at USD 174.9 million (35.1 percent higher), while imports equaled USD 445.3 million (23.4 percent higher). The share of the CIS countries in the external trade turnover of Georgia constituted 36.8 percent, 39.2 percent in exports and 36.0 percent in imports (In January-February 2017 33.9, 36.4 and 33.1 percent, respectively). In JanuaryFebruary 2018 compared to previous year, CIS countries accounted for 34.2 percent of the overall trade deficit (31.4 percent in January-February 2017).
In January-February 2018 share of the top ten trading partners in the total external trade turnover of Georgia amounted to 68.8 percent. The top trading partners were Turkey (USD 242.8 million), Russia (USD 198.6 million) and Azerbaijan (USD 182.2 million). In January-February 2018 Copper ores and concentrates reclaimed the first place in the list of top export items, equaling USD 75.0 million, or 16.8 percent of total exports. Exports Ferro-alloys of totaled USD 48.9 million and its share in the total exports amounted to 11.0 percent. Motor cars occupied the third place. Exports of this commodity group stood at USD 38.0 million and 8.5 percent of the total exports.
The top import commodity in January-February 2018 were Petroleum and petroleum oils imports of which amounted to USD 109.0 million and 8.8 percent of the total imports. Petroleum gases commodity group followed in the list with USD 95.8 million, or 7.7 percent of imports. Motor cars came third with USD 66.9 million (5.4 percent of imports).
