What does Russia sell abroad other than raw materials?

The balance of payments of any country is positive and negative, and in this case its sign characterizes the import dependence directly. If there is a plus in front of the foreign trade balance, then everything goes fine, and if there is a minus, then there is an import dependence and an excessive expenditure of foreign currency. Solve the problem in two ways, or reduce external purchases, or increase sales of own goods abroad. Russia is striving to improve its balance sheet, but some circumstances currently impede the development of this trend, and important decisions must be taken to change the structure of exports. However, this is not always bad, and in some cases even very good, because it contributes to overall economic development. So what does Russia now sell abroad?

Structure

Russia sells goods in a wide range of goods abroad, but non-commodity positions in 2015 amounted to only a quarter of total exports in monetary terms.

Metallurgy is second in importance, followed by the chemical and food industries. The ratio of the contribution of other industries to the total savings of currency earnings can vary from month to month, but at present their segments are insignificant, and, therefore, they have great opportunities for growth. The most promising are the electronic industry and the further development of software development.

Hydrocarbons

There is nothing surprising in the fact that revenues from the sale of oil and gas have recently declined, such is the situation in the foreign trade situation against the backdrop of the global crisis.

Prices have fallen for a long time, now they have risen to $ 40 per barrel, but, despite this, you should be on your guard and not give in to the moody mood. First, everything can change for the better, and secondly, the notorious "needle" has long been a problem to be addressed. With a general increase in the volumes of hydrocarbon exports, revenues, they brought in a third less than in the previous period, only $ 343 billion. Approximately the same situation with the products of processing, that is, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc. Foreign exchange earnings from them decreased by 42%, amounting to $ 67.4 billion in absolute terms, with a 4% increase in physical leave. As a result, the monetary share of commodity exports in the overall structure fell to 46%.

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals

Exports of non-primary goods also fell, and significantly, by 96 billion, reaching $ 187 billion. It includes foreign exchange earnings of various industries, and one of the most important is considered to be metallurgy. In 2015, it received more than $ 24 billion dollars from foreign counterparts for its products, which, of course, is not bad, but worse than in the past. World prices fell on nickel and pig iron, with more than 30%, but losses from this could be compensated by an increase in physical volumes to 5.34 million tons. At the same time nickel was sold abroad by 5% less. High-demand electrotechnical copper of high purity continues to be in high demand, its implementation was increased by 17% compared to 2014 and to receive $ 3.1 billion of revenue (more by 60%). Aluminum is also going well, its sales reached 3.1 billion tons (plus 22%). Increasing the competitiveness of prices is facilitated by devaluation.

Gold and fertilizers

The yellow metal Russia now buys more than sells, the more so that the price for it is now declining, however, exports also took place, for a total of $ 1.5 billion. The buyer in these transactions is most often Switzerland, but banks have now reduced the production of ingots. But the producers of mineral fertilizers were pleased, the demand for which is characterized by a rare stability. For these products of the chemical industry, the necessary farmers in the world, managed to raise $ 8.9 billion

Cereals

Apparently, in this area Russia will take a leading position for the first time for more than a century, and even overtake the United States, and this despite the fact that some government actions did not contribute to such success, but, on the contrary, prevented. The introduction in February of last year of export duties did not even allow to take advantage of the consequences of the depreciation of the ruble, and all the additional earnings of the agrarians went to pay fees. With a drop in sales of 27% in trade operations with Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and South Africa and a general decline in turnover in 2015, this year, 2016, we should expect significant growth (The Wall Street Journal and US Ministry of Agriculture).

Computer components and programs

In 2015, Russian manufacturers of microcircuits and processors received more than 1.1 billion dollars of foreign exchange earnings. This seems extremely unexpected news, almost a sensation, completely refuting the imposed ideas about the country's technological backwardness. It is also interesting that the main buyers were found in Germany, 98% of the production went there, but it was also acquired by Malaysia, India and China, that is, the countries themselves considered the leading producers of electronic components. Some processors went to Algeria. These "parts of computers" showed an increase of 70%, in particular, Germany sold them $ 469 million more than in 2014. The delivery was carried out by the T-Platform company, which was even struck off the sanctions list on this occasion (January 2014). According to analysts, the state should simply not interfere with the development of the industry, but nevertheless the support of companies, Strategically important areas of the economy in other countries. Software developers earned in 2005 seven billion.

Armaments

Russia came out on a confident second place in the world in exporting defense products. India and Egypt remained the main partners in 2015, while supplies to Vietnam, Iraq and Peru, which bought warships (including submarines), radar stations, air defense systems, aircraft and helicopters, were the fastest growing. All these products are characterized by high added value and guaranteed maintenance and replenishment of consumables, as well as staff training, which also brings profit and foreign exchange earnings. Supplies to Algeria increased by $ 2 billion, to Vietnam - by $ 1.7 billion, Bangladesh - by $ 866 million, Kuwait - by $ 406 million (nine times!). Demand is used by shock and transport helicopters, ground attack planes, anti-aircraft systems, salvo and air defense systems, as well as other modern Russian military equipment. Military cooperation with India is developing particularly rapidly, in this case, contracts are not limited to sales, but concern the joint production of certain samples.

Automotive industry

Official statistics impartially recorded a drop in exports of cars in 2015 by 25%. Currently, Kazakhstan is considered the main importer of VAZ products. The Ukrainian market is almost closed for two reasons, including the imposed sanctions and the extremely low solvency of the middle sections of the population (to which Lada is positioned) in this country. In addition, cars from Togliatti are purchased in China (7%), Turkey (3%), Germany (4%) and Belarus (20%). The decrease in sales was affected by the devaluation of the tenge, but there is also a hidden import, which is very difficult to take into account. With a 40 percent drop in sales in Kazakhstan, many citizens of this country buy cars in Russia and drive them on their own. In general, Avtovaz in the CIS sold cars in 2015 by 58% less than in 2014. Nevertheless, freight "Ural" sold in this market, even 15% more, in the total volume of 2.3 thousand units.