Trade turnover between Russia and Tajikistan in the first six months of 2011 reached 580 million U.S. dollars, Tajikistan's national statistics authority said on Wednesday, Itar-Tass reported.
Russia's basic exports to Tajikistan are light oil products, mineral fertilizers, and foods.
Russia is ranked first among Tajikistan's trade partners. China comes second, with a trade turnover of 414.6 million U.S. dollars in January-June 2011, and Turkey comes third (348.9 million U.S. dollars).
Tajikistan maintains trade relations with 91 world nations, including ten CIS countries, which account for 44 percent of Tajikistan's overall trade. In 2010, Tajikistan's exports stood at 778.4 million U.S. dollars, while imports exceeded 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.
Tajikistan's imports in the recent years have expanded beyond fuels and foodstuffs, which are traditionally in deficiency in the country. Now it imports even fruit and vegetable that until recently were in abundance on the national market. Experts attribute vegetable and fruit shortage to mass exodus of rural population who opt to enrol as labour migrants in big cities.
The country keeps on to export aluminium and cotton. The production of both export items is controlled by the state.