Trade between Russia and China experienced a 9.1% decline in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of $106.48 billion, as reported by China’s General Administration of Customs on Monday.

During the January to June timeframe, Chinese exports to Russia fell by 8.4%, totaling $47.16 billion. At the same time, imports from Russia decreased by 9.6%, amounting to $59.32 billion, resulting in a trade surplus for Russia of $12.16 billion, which is down 10.2% year-on-year.

In June, trade between the two nations remained stable around $17.6 billion, with Chinese exports increasing by 2.2% to $8.28 billion, while Russian imports dropped by 2.9% to $9.32 billion.

This downturn follows a significant slowdown in the growth of Russia-China trade last year, which saw an increase of only 1.9% in 2024, a sharp decline from the 26% growth experienced in 2023. Notably, while Chinese exports to Russia grew by 5% last year, Russian exports to China rose by just 1%.

Since Western sanctions were enforced in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China has become an essential economic ally for Russia. With access to Western energy markets restricted, Russia has leaned more heavily on oil sales to China for its revenue.

In contrast, China’s overall trade performance demonstrated unexpectedly strong growth in June. Exports increased by 5.8% year-on-year, exceeding the 5% rise anticipated in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Meanwhile, imports grew by 1.1%, surpassing expectations of a 0.3% increase.

China’s exports achieved record levels in 2024, providing support to its decelerating economy amid ongoing struggles, such as a lingering property sector debt crisis, weak domestic consumption, and elevated youth unemployment.

Reporting by AFP contributed to this article.