EU27 trade in goods with Russia partly recovered in 2010, after the sharp drop recorded in 2009 which interrupted a long period of growth. EU27 exports to Russia fell from 105 billion euro in 2008 to 66 bn in 2009, then rose to 87 bn in 2010. Imports decreased from 178 bn in 2008 to 118 bn in 2009, then increased to 158 bn in 2010. As a result, the EU27 trade deficit with Russia increased from 52 bn euro in 2009 to 72 bn in 2010. In 2010, Russia was the EU27's third most important trading partner after the USA and China, accounting for 6% of EU27 exports and 11% of EU27 imports.

On the occasion of the 27th European Union - Russia summit, which will take place on 9 and 10 June in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, issues data on trade and investments between Russia and the EU.

Germany, Italy and France main EU27 exporters to Russia

Among the EU27 Member States, Germany (26.3 bn euro or 30% of EU exports) was by far the largest exporter to Russia in 2010, followed by Italy (7.9 bn or 9%) and France (6.3 bn or 7%). Germany (29.9 bn or 19%) was also the largest importer, followed by the Netherlands1 (21.7 bn or 14%), Poland (13.6 bn or 9%), Italy (13.1 bn or 8%) and France (11.7 bn or 7%).

Most Member States recorded deficits in trade with Russia in 2010, the largest being observed in the Netherlands (-15.6 bn euro), Poland (-8.6 bn), France (-5.4 bn) and Italy (-5.2 bn). The highest surpluses were recorded in Austria (0.7 bn) and Denmark (0.6 bn).

Around 85% of EU27 exports to Russia in 2010 were manufactured goods, while energy accounted for almost three quarters of imports. At the detailed level, the main EU27 exports to Russia included medicine, motor cars, mobile phones and aircraft, while the main imports included oil, gas and coal.