The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Russia’s import purchases during 2019. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Russia.

1. Machinery including computers: US$43.2 billion (17.7% of total imports)
2. Electrical machinery, equipment: $29.8 billion (12.2%)
3. Vehicles: $23.7 billion (9.7%)
4. Pharmaceuticals: $14.1 billion (5.8%)
5. Plastics, plastic articles: $9.8 billion (4%)
6. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $7.3 billion (3%)
7. Articles of iron or steel: $6.5 billion (2.7%)
8. Fruits, nuts: $5.1 billion (2.1%)
9. Iron, steel: $5 billion (2.1%)
10. Organic chemicals: $4.4 billion (1.8%)

Russia’s top 10 imports accounted for roughly three-fifths (61.1%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.

Pharmaceuticals represents the fastest-growing Russian import category, up 32.9% from 2018 to 2019. In second place were imported articles made from iron or steel via its 11.8% improvement, trailed by the 8.3% gain for organic chemicals.

There were three decliners among Russia’s top 10 import categories: iron or steel (down -4.9%), machinery including computers (down -0.8%) and electrical machinery and equipment (down -0.5%).

Please note that the results listed above are at the 2-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level. Information presented under other virtual folder tabs is at the more granular 4-digit level.

In 2019, Russian importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery including computers.

1. Computers, optical readers: US$5.7 billion (down -4.7% from 2018)
2. Taps, valves, similar appliances: $2.3 billion (up 14.2%)
3. Temperature-change machines: $2.2 billion (down -17.1%)
4. Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $1.9 billion (up 11.1%)
5. Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers): $1.8 billion (up 3%)
6. Miscellaneous machinery: $1.6 billion (down -4.4%)
7. Liquid pumps and elevators: $1.5 billion (up 0.1%)
8. Air or vacuum pumps: $1.5 billion (up 6.3%)
9. Piston engines: $1.4 billion (up 7.4%)
10. Lifting/loading machinery: $1.1 billion (up 1.2%)

Among these import subcategories, Russian purchases of taps, valves and similar appliances (up 14.2%), centrifuges, filters and purifiers (up 11.1%) then piston engines (up 7.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2018 to 2019.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Russian businesses and consumers.

In 2019, Russian importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical products including consumer electronics.

1. Phone system devices including smartphones: US$9 billion (down -4.5% from 2018)
2. Electric water heaters, hair dryers: $1.7 billion (up 3.8%)
3. TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $1.3 billion (up 9.1%)
4. Electrical converters/power units: $1.3 billion (down -4.4%)
5. Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $1.3 billion (up 0.3%)
6. TV/radio/radar device parts: $1.2 billion (down -7.9%)
7. Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $1.2 billion (down -4.1%)
8. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $1.2 billion (down -9.3%)
9. Insulated wire/cable: $1.1 billion (up 4.2%)
10. Electric generating sets, converters: $869.7 million (up 40.2%)

Among these import subcategories, Russian purchases of electric generating sets and converters (up 40.2%), TV receivers, monitors and projectors (up 9.1%) then insulated wire or cable (up 4.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2018 to 2019.

These amounts and the percentage gain within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Russian businesses and consumers.

In 2019, Russian importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles.

1. Automobile parts/accessories: US$8.8 billion (down -2.5% from 2018)
2. Cars: $7.9 billion (up 8.9%)
3. Automobile bodies: $2.3 billion (up 12.7%)
4. Trucks: $1.9 billion (down -3.1%)
5. Tractors: $1.3 billion (down -19.5%)
6. Trailers: $729.6 million (down -14%)
7. Public-transport vehicles: $222.2 million (up 11.1%)
8. Special purpose vehicles: $192.5 million (down -36.7%)
9. Motorcycles: $137.5 million (up 20%)
10. Motorcycle parts/accessories: $116.1 million (up 14.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Russian purchases of motorcycles (up 20%), motorcycle parts or accessories (up 14.8%) then automobile bodies (up 12.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2018 to 2019.

These amounts and percentages within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported vehicles among Russian businesses and consumers.

In 2019, Russian importers spent the most on the following 6 subcategories of pharmaceuticals.

1. Medication mixes in dosage: US$10.2 billion (up 29.7% from 2018)
2. Blood fractions (including antisera): $3.1 billion (up 55.1%)
3. Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods: $472.8 million (up 9%)
4. Medication mixes not in dosage: $280.3 million (up 7.3%)
5. Packaged dressings: $68.1 million (up 8.8%)
6. Dried organs, heparin: $30.9 million (up 50.1%)

Among these import subcategories, Russian purchases of blood fractions including antisera (up 55.1%), dried organs and heparin (up 50.1%) then medication mixes in dosage (up 29.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2018 to 2019.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported pharmaceuticals among Russian businesses and consumers.