Russia's imports from China surge in 2026
Russia's imports from China surged in 2026, with record levels of automobiles, tires, auto parts, and agricultural products, while Russian exports to China—especially frozen fish and agroproducts—also reached historic highs.
Consensus
- Russia's imports from China increased significantly in 2026.
- Russia's exports to China, particularly frozen fish and agricultural products, reached record levels in 2026.
- Trade between Russia and China grew substantially in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
- The volume and value of Chinese automotive exports to Russia exceeded the full 2025 annual total by September 2026.
- Russian agroexports to China surpassed the entire 2025 export value by mid-October 2026.
- China's imports of Russian frozen pollock reached $1 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a record for the country.
- The growth in trade is attributed to increased industrial cooperation and demand for Chinese goods in Russia.
Points of divergence
- China's exports of mandarins to Russia increased 6.1 times in September 2026 compared to August, reaching $4.7 million. — vm
- Exports of grapefruit and pomelo from China to Russia increased 2.2 times in September 2026, reaching $3.1 million. — vm
- Exports of lemons from China to Russia increased 2.3 times in September 2026 and 2.8 times year-on-year, reaching $1.4 million. — vm
- Exports of oranges from China to Russia increased 3.6 times in September 2026 but only 22% year-on-year. — vm
- Russia imported $167.5 million worth of Chinese tires in September 2026, a 50% increase from the same month in 2025. — vesti
- Russia imported $302.6 million worth of Chinese auto parts in September 2026, doubling year-on-year. — vesti
- China imported 541,000 tons of frozen pollock from Russia in the first nine months of 2025, generating $1 billion in export revenue. — interfax
- Russia exported nearly 9 million tons of agricultural products to China by mid-October 2025, earning $7.8 billion. — vedomosti
- China exported $1.59 billion worth of passenger cars to Russia in September 2026. — thebell
- China's exports of passenger cars to Russia reached $10.7 billion in the first nine months of 2016, more than double the 2025 total. — thebell
- Mazda CX-5 became the most popular imported car model in Russia in 2026. — thebell
Coverage (9 sources)
- Chinese orange export to Russia grew sixfold — Вечерняя Москва
- Russia increased import of Chinese tires and auto parts — Вести
- Export of mandarins from China to Russia in September increased sixfold — Вести
- Russia's frozen herring exports to China revenue first reached $1 billion — Интерфакс
- Revenue from Russian agro-export to China reached about $7.8 billion — Ведомости
- Export of Russian agriculture and food products to China exceeded the figure for the entire 2025 by mid-October — Интерфакс
- Import of passenger cars from China for nine months exceeded the entire previous year — The Bell
- Export of passenger cars from China to Russia in September grew to $1.59 billion — Ведомости
- Imports of passenger cars from China to Russia in September became record high for two years — Интерфакс