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Russia's current account surplus climbed to $27 billion in January-May 2026, up from $21.8 billion in the same period of 2025, according to a preliminary estimate by the Central Bank. The regulator attributed the significant increase primarily to growth in the value of exports.

In May alone, the current account surplus stood at $8.1 billion, compared with $0.9 billion in May 2025. The Central Bank said the year-on-year surge was "primarily driven by growth of the value of exports."

Coverage comparison

TASS, reporting on the Central Bank's preliminary data, noted that Russia's foreign trade balance reached $14.2 billion in May, up from $7.4 billion a year earlier. The year-on-year increase was driven by export growth, including the impact of favorable price trends, the regulator noted.

Separate data from the Federal Customs Service, also carried by TASS, showed that Russia's foreign trade surplus increased by 9.44% year-on-year in January-May 2026 to $59.1 billion. Exports during the period rose by $13.9 billion to $177.4 billion, while imports increased by $8.8 billion to $118.3 billion. Total foreign trade turnover grew by 8.32% compared with the same period last year, reaching $295.7 billion.

In May, according to Bank of Russia data reported by TASS, the foreign trade surplus increased by $6.776 billion year-on-year to $14.154 billion. Compared with April 2026, the surplus grew by $3.148 billion. Exports in May rose by $10.486 billion to $42.891 billion, while imports increased by $3.71 billion to $28.737 billion.

Key claims

  • Russia's current account surplus in January-May 2026 reached $27 billion, up from $21.8 billion in the same period of 2025 (Central Bank preliminary estimate, as reported by TASS).
  • In May 2026, the current account surplus was $8.1 billion, versus $0.9 billion in May 2025 (Central Bank, as reported by TASS).
  • The increase in the current account surplus was attributed to growth in the value of exports (Bank of Russia, as reported by TASS).
  • Russia's foreign trade balance in May 2026 was $14.2 billion, compared with $7.4 billion in May 2025 (Central Bank, as reported by TASS).
  • The foreign trade surplus for January-May 2026 rose 9.44% year-on-year to $59.1 billion, with exports up to $177.4 billion and imports up to $118.3 billion (Federal Customs Service, as reported by TASS).
  • In May 2026, the foreign trade surplus increased year-on-year to $14.154 billion, with exports up to $42.891 billion and imports up to $28.737 billion (Bank of Russia, as reported by TASS).
Additional customs data, as reported by TASS, indicated that Russian exports to Europe fell by 8.4% to $23 billion in January-May, while exports to Asia grew by 14.5% to $141.5 billion. Mineral products remained the largest export category at $96.1 billion, up 4.3% year-on-year. On the import side, machinery, equipment and transport vehicles were the largest category, rising 9.3% to $57.5 billion.