External Trade of Georgia from January-February 2015 (Preliminary)

In January-February of 2015 external merchandise trade (excluding non-organized trade) in Georgia amounted to USD 1433 million, 9 percent decreased year-on-year. The exports equaled USD 324 million (26 percent lower), while the imports stood at USD 1109 million (2 percent lower). The negative trade balance was USD 786 million in January-February 2015 and its share in external trade turnover constituted 55 percent.

In January-February 2015 the external trade of Georgia with the EU countries amounted to USD 385 million, lower by 2 percent compared to the corresponding indicator of the previous year. Exports amounted to USD 108 million (9 percent higher), while import amounted to USD 277 million (6 percent lower). The share of these countries in the external trade of Georgia amounted to 27 percent, 33 percent in exports and 25 percent in imports (in January-February 2014 25, 22 and 26 percent correspondingly). 22 percent of the trade deficit came to the EU countries (28 percent in January-February 2014). In January-February 2015 the external trade of Georgia with the CIS countries totaled USD 429 million (lower by 23 percent compared to January-February 2014). Exports stood at USD 110 million (53 percent lower), while imports equaled USD 319 million (1 percent lower). The share of the CIS countries in the external trade of Georgia constituted 30 percent, 34 percent in exports and 29 percent in imports (In January-February 2014 35, 53 and 28 percent, respectively). In January-February 2015, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, CIS countries accounted for 27 percent of the overall trade deficit (13 percent in January-February2014)

In January-February 2015 share of the top ten trading partners in the total external trade turnover of Georgia amounted to 67 percent. The top trading partners were Turkey (USD 224 million), Azerbaijan (USD 147 million) and China (USD 112 million).

Major commodity groups by exports and imports In January-February 2015 motor cars reclaimed the first place in the list of top export items, equaling USD 41 million, or 13 percent of total exports. Exports of other nuts, fresh or dried totaled USD 41 million, and its share in the total exports amounted to 13 percent. Ferro-alloys occupied the third place. Exports of this commodity group stood at USD 34 million and 11 percent of the total exports.

The top import commodity in January-February 2015 was Petroleum gases and other gaseous, imports of which amounted to USD 102 million and 9 percent of the total imports. Motor cars commodity group followed in the list with USD 88 million, or 8 percent of imports. Petroleum and petroleum oils came third with USD 77 million (7 percent of imports).
(Geostat.ge)