Türkiye leapfrogs Russia's top ally in key import table

Türkiye has overtaken Belarus to become the country’s second-largest supplier, according to data

Türkiye became Russia’s second-largest supplier of goods in the first half of this year, overtaking Belarus, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday, citing data from Russian digital bank Tochka.

Türkiye’s share of imports stood at 13% in January-June, compared with only 5% during the same period last year, according to the report. Belarus saw its share slump to 12% of Russian imports in the first half of 2023, compared to last year’s 24%.

Mainland China remains Russia’s top supplier with 42% of total import volumes, while Hong Kong is fourth with 9%, according to the report. Kazakhstan is also among the top five, with its share of Russian imports at 5%, data showed.

“This year Russian entrepreneurs are switching to goods made by Turkish manufacturers, especially in the clothing sector. This could be attributed to the fact that Türkiye produces high-quality goods that are able to replace the brands that left Russia,” RIA Novosti quoted Alena Panasko of Tochka’s foreign business department as saying.

READ MORE: Russian-Turkish trade booming – official data

According to the report, among the most sought-after imported products in the first half of 2023 were machine tools, production lines, and other equipment used in manufacturing, as well as electrical goods.

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