That dollar amount specific to consumer-targeted exports represents 44.4% of the overall value of all Russian exported goods ($565.2 billion).
The 5 most valuable consumer end-use goods shipped by Russia onto global markets during 2022 were exported refined petroleum oils, coal including solid fuels made from coal, gold, petroleum gases, then items made from hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel. Combined, those 5 leading exports collected 37.8% of Russia’s total revenues collected from selling all its exports on global markets.
The total dollar amount for Russia’s top 100 exported consumer products increased by 59.3% from 2021 to 2022 and expanded by 85.3% over the 5-year period since 2018.
Russia’s overall shipments of all its exported products–encompassing raw materials, intermediate products as well as those classified as consumer goods–grew at a slower pace. Total Russian exports increased in value by 14.8% compared to 2021 and by 25.8% since 2018. This indicates a trend towards consumer-oriented exports from Russia.
Among the top 100 consumer products exported by the Russian Federation, 30 generated more revenues from in 2022 compared to 2021. The fastest cashflow increases were garnered by Russian exports of petroleum gas (up 818.4% from 2021), miscellaneous nuts (up 694.1%), printed pictures and photos (up 455.7%), dried or salted fish (up 352%), miscellaneous vegetable products (up 235.2%) then coal including solid fuels made from coal (up 143.5%).
The worst decliners among Russia’s leading consumer exports were printed books and brochures (down -83.1% from 2021), swine meat (down -82.6%), phone devices including smartphones (down 77%) and cars (down -72.6%).
Exported Consumer Products Defined
So, what are consumer products? They are final goods or end products that a business mainly creates for consumers to buy. For example, consumers often purchase refined petroleum oil at the gas station while exported crude oil is an intermediate good subject to further processing before being sold to end users.
Although there may be a few wealthy individual buyers, products like turbojets or cruise ships are excluded from the consumer products targeted by this study. That is because turbojets or cruise ships are usually purchased by corporations or government agencies. In contrast, it is common for consumers to buy motorcycles.
Admittedly there are some grey areas. For example, business and government entities buy exported gold as do consumers. On the other hand, generally fewer consumers buy platinum exports.
Types of Consumer Products
This article focuses on 3 distinct consumer product types for the exports reviewed in the article.
Convenience Products are easy to access, non-durable, have relatively lower prices and therefore consumers frequently purchase them. Examples of convenience products are food, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, and soap.
Shopping Products are not as easily available as convenience products, involve more time to make a buying decision, are durable and are not bought as often as most convenience products. A great example of a shopping product is a mobile phone where buying the wrong model is a much more expensive mistake than buying a disappointing loaf of bread.
Specialty Products describe another consumer product type. This grey area includes infrequently purchased, expensive, durable and sometimes rare items. Consumers may consider the product’s brand image when making their purchase decisions. Some examples of speciality products are gold, silver, diamonds, jewelry, and branded refrigerators and dishwashers.
US Top 100 Most Valuable Consumer Exports
The searchable international sales database below showcases Russia’s 100 highest value exported consumer products in descending order. Items were selected at the four-digit Harmonized System tariff classification code level.
The table’s fifth column identifies each entry’s consumer product type.
The most popular Russian product type is convenience products (CP) led by petroleum gas, refined petroleum oils, coal including solid fuels made from coal, frozen whole fish, sunflower or safflower or cotton-seed oil, lobsters and other crustaceans, fish fillets and pieces, then corn. Convenience products represent over half (54) of Russia’s top 100 exported consumer goods.
In second place via 29 entries are shopping products (SP) led by items made from hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, cars, new rubber tires, automobile parts or accessories, then cars.
Then there is the speciality products (SY) category with its 17 entries. Examples of major speciality products are Russian exports of gold, diamonds and silver.
| # | Exported Product | US$ | 2021-2 | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petroleum gas | $80,960,544,000 | +818.4% | CP |
| 2 | Processed petroleum oils | $74,628,201,000 | +6.7% | CP |
| 3 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $42,818,451,000 | +143.5% | CP |
| 4 | Fertilizer mixes | $7,934,121,000 | +68.9% | SY |
| 5 | Gold (unwrought) | $7,142,429,000 | -58.9% | SY |
| 6 | Nitrogenous fertilizers | $7,118,660,000 | +59.2% | SY |
| 7 | Potassic fertilizers | $5,365,258,000 | +61.5% | SY |
| 8 | Whole fish (frozen) | $3,863,091,000 | +60.2% | CP |
| 9 | Sun/safflower/cotton-seed oil | $3,175,818,000 | +2.3% | CP |
| 10 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $3,024,536,000 | -33.4% | SY |
| 11 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $2,700,034,000 | +1.3% | CP |
| 12 | Hot-rolled iron/non-alloy steel items | $2,581,771,000 | -51.4% | SP |
| 13 | Fish fillets, pieces | $875,430,000 | +42.8% | CP |
| 14 | Silver (unwrought) | $817,226,000 | +10.0% | SY |
| 15 | Rubber tires (new) | $721,054,000 | -46.7% | SP |
| 16 | Corn | $705,210,000 | +1.6% | CP |
| 17 | Dried shelled vegetables | $649,016,000 | +1.5% | CP |
| 18 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $559,657,000 | -35.2% | CP |
| 19 | Poultry meat | $554,061,000 | +3.1% | CP |
| 20 | Margarine | $499,920,000 | +20.7% | CP |
| 21 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $463,184,000 | -16.7% | CP |
| 22 | Soya beans | $454,999,000 | +11.5% | CP |
| 23 | Medications | $413,713,000 | -48.9% | CP |
| 24 | Automobile parts/accessories | $398,469,000 | -47.7% | SP |
| 25 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $390,427,000 | -19.7% | CP |
| 26 | Cars | $381,899,000 | -72.6% | SP |
| 27 | Barley | $362,207,000 | -62.5% | CP |
| 28 | Waters with added sugar | $345,585,000 | -1.0% | CP |
| 29 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $324,401,000 | -10.3% | SP |
| 30 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $313,725,000 | -18.7% | CP |
| 31 | Refrigerators, freezers | $309,174,000 | -36.2% | SY |
| 32 | Insulated wire/cable | $308,062,000 | -43.1% | SP |
| 33 | Soya-bean oil | $284,716,000 | -46.5% | CP |
| 34 | Glass bottles, other containers | $258,224,000 | +8.3% | SP |
| 35 | Miscellaneous nuts | $254,563,000 | +694.1% | CP |
| 36 | Uncoated paper for writing/printing | $248,786,000 | -15.5% | CP |
| 37 | Prepared vegetables (non-frozen) | $243,640,000 | +34.2% | CP |
| 38 | Miscellaneous furniture | $240,014,000 | -50.3% | SP |
| 39 | Miscellaneous food preparations | $230,367,000 | -41.7% | CP |
| 40 | Sanitary towels, baby napkins/liners | $229,186,000 | -22.9% | CP |
| 41 | Fish or meat flours, pellets | $214,376,000 | +46.4% | CP |
| 42 | Washing machines | $208,628,000 | -47.5% | SY |
| 43 | Sauces, condiments, seasoning | $206,311,000 | -7.6% | CP |
| 44 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $200,685,000 | -25.2% | SY |
| 45 | Liquid pumps | $194,671,000 | -58.7% | SY |
| 46 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $178,532,000 | -42.2% | CP |
| 47 | Frozen beef | $177,626,000 | -7.4% | CP |
| 48 | Moluscs | $169,508,000 | +86.5% | CP |
| 49 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $168,257,000 | -17.2% | CP |
| 50 | Sugar confectionery (no cocoa) | $167,729,000 | -19.9% | CP |
| 51 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $167,169,000 | -47.8% | SY |
| 52 | Packaged insecticides, herbicides | $164,800,000 | -29.3% | SP |
| 53 | Beauty/makeup/skin care | $163,143,000 | -36.2% | SY |
| 54 | Other printed pictures, photos | $157,429,000 | +455.7% | SY |
| 55 | Cigars/cigarellos, cigarettes | $156,866,000 | -22.7% | CP |
| 56 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $153,996,000 | -41.3% | SP |
| 57 | Malt extract, food preparations | $147,280,000 | -29.7% | CP |
| 58 | Hair preparations | $146,891,000 | -44.0% | SP |
| 59 | Temperature-change machines | $137,265,000 | -68.3% | SY |
| 60 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $134,949,000 | -21.6% | CP |
| 61 | Electrical converters/power units | $133,755,000 | -49.5% | SP |
| 62 | Coffee/tea extracts, concentrates | $129,970,000 | -47.6% | CP |
| 63 | Pipe/chewing/snuff tobaccos | $129,500,000 | -63.9% | CP |
| 64 | Miscellaneous wooden articles | $126,352,000 | +57.6% | SP |
| 65 | Dried or salted fish | $124,337,000 | +352.0% | CP |
| 66 | Trucks | $123,859,000 | -65.2% | SP |
| 67 | Sunflower seeds | $114,390,000 | +84.4% | CP |
| 68 | Shaving preparations, deodorants | $112,067,000 | -55.1% | SP |
| 69 | Paints, varnishes | $107,535,000 | -20.5% | SP |
| 70 | Phone devices including smartphones | $107,482,000 | -77.0% | SP |
| 71 | Sugar (cane or beet) | $107,283,000 | -58.5% | CP |
| 72 | Cheese, curd | $104,388,000 | -16.8% | CP |
| 73 | Sausages, similar goods | $104,070,000 | -17.6% | CP |
| 74 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $99,043,000 | -44.2% | CP |
| 75 | Pasta, couscous | $97,577,000 | -14.3% | CP |
| 76 | Malt beer | $94,797,000 | -41.1% | CP |
| 77 | Electric motors, not generating sets | $94,604,000 | -65.0% | SY |
| 78 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $92,417,000 | -54.4% | SP |
| 79 | Soap, organic surface-active goods | $91,763,000 | -36.6% | SP |
| 80 | Buttermilk, yogurt | $91,218,000 | -4.9% | CP |
| 81 | Tractors | $82,240,000 | -47.3% | SP |
| 82 | Unrecorded sound media | $80,126,000 | -67.9% | SP |
| 83 | Prefabricated buildings | $77,007,000 | -38.9% | SY |
| 84 | Other meats (prepared/preserved) | $76,761,000 | +2.7% | CP |
| 85 | Seats (not barber/dentist chairs) | $76,497,000 | -45.0% | SP |
| 86 | Jewelry | $73,764,000 | -48.3% | SY |
| 87 | Tissues, napkins, toilet paper | $73,355,000 | -28.1% | CP |
| 88 | Aluminum foil | $63,221,000 | +0.8% | SP |
| 89 | Screws, bolts, washers, hooks, pins | $61,232,000 | -47.9% | SP |
| 90 | Printed books, brochures | $60,547,000 | -83.1% | SP |
| 91 | Miscellaneous toys | $59,232,000 | -56.9% | SP |
| 92 | Concentrated/sweetened milk | $58,139,000 | +110.1% | CP |
| 93 | Fruit and vegetable juices | $57,540,000 | +4.9% | CP |
| 94 | Fish, caviar (preserved/prepared) | $56,856,000 | -37.4% | CP |
| 95 | Electric lamps | $56,208,000 | -8.1% | SP |
| 96 | Tea (including flavored) | $55,789,000 | -51.5% | CP |
| 97 | Swine meat | $55,694,000 | -82.6% | CP |
| 98 | Plastic tile or roll coverings | $52,741,000 | -38.1% | SP |
| 99 | Caps, lids, corks, pouring stoppers | $52,367,000 | -31.1% | SP |
| 100 | Miscellaneous vegetable products | $50,837,000 | +235.2% | CP |
Durable consumer products (D) are goods like cars, refrigerators and furniture that last a relatively long time. Consumers can put durable products to use again and again.
Non-durable consumer products (ND) are goods that are not re-used once consumed. Alcoholic beverages and bananas are examples of non-durable goods.
Based on the product types identified in the above table, 46 of Russia’s 100 highest-value consumer exported products are durable while the remaining 54 are classified as non-durable.
You can also peruse the greatest increases or decreases in product values from 2021 to 2022. To do so, click on the heading of the fourth column.
Fastest-Growing Russian Consumer Exports
Listed below are the top 10 consumer products shipped by Russia that benefited from the highest percentage increases in global sales from 2021 to 2022.
- Petroleum gas: Up 818.4% (US$81 billion)
- Miscellaneous nuts: Up 694.1% ($254.6 million)
- Other printed pictures, photos: Up 455.7% ($157.4 million)
- Dried or salted fish: Up 352% ($124.3 million)
- Miscellaneous vegetable products: Up 235.2% ($50.8 million)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: Up 143.5% ($42.8 billion)
- Concentrated/sweetened milk: Up 110.1% ($58.1 million)
- Moluscs: Up 86.5% ($169.5 million)
- Sunflower seeds: Up 84.4% ($114.4 million)
- Fertilizer mixes: Up 68.9% ($7.9 billion)
Two of the above items are durable shopping products that consumers use repeatedly over time and generally take longer to make a buying decision. These products were specialty items miscellaneous printed pictures and photos, and fertilizer mixes.
In contrast, the remaining 8 of these exports are convenience products that are consumed at once with no re-use.
Severest-Declining Russian Consumer Exports
Among the top 100 Russian exports, Russia’s spending on the following 10 items resulted in the decliners from 2021 to 2022.
- Printed books, brochures: Down -83.1% (US$60.5 million)
- Swine meat: Down -82.6% ($55.7 million)
- Phone devices including smartphones: Down -77% ($107.5 million)
- Cars: Down -72.6% ($381.9 million)
- Temperature-change machines: Down -68.3% ($137.3 million)
- Unrecorded sound media: Down -67.9% ($80.1 million)
- Trucks: Down -65.2% ($123.9 million)
- Electric motors, not generating sets: Down -65% ($94.6 million)
- Pipe/chewing/snuff tobaccos: Down -63.9% ($129.5 million)
- Barley: Down -62.5% ($362.2 million)
Three among the above Russian export goods making the list of year-over-year losers are also convenience products that are used one time only. These are swine meat, pipe or chewing tobaccos including snuff, and barley.
Two of the remaining decliners are speciality products (temperature-change machines, electric motors excluding generating sets). The other 5 are shopping products led by printed books and brochures, and phone devices including smartphones.
Key Customers for Russian Exports by Country
This analysis reveals competitive buyers that provide major demand for Russia’s top 5 consumer export products.
The biggest Russian imported consumer product by value is petroleum gases. Russia’s 4 other leading consumer exports are refined petroleum oils, coal, fertilizer mixes and gold.
Here are the main international customers for
Russia’s exported petroleum gases: Japan (19.8% of total), mainland China (15.8%), France (10.2%), Poland (7.4%), Spain (6.7%), South Korea (6.2%), United Kingdom (5.5%), Netherlands (4.6%), Belgium (4.5%), and Ukraine (4.4%).
Russia’s exported refined petroleum oils: Netherlands (20.9% of total), United States (7.5%), mainland China (5.6%), Türkiye (5.4%), South Korea (4.4%), Germany (3.4%), France (3.2%), Malta (also 3.2%), Belgium (3.1%), and Greece (3%).
Russia’s exported coal and related products: mainland China (22.1% of total), Japan (12.2%), South Korea (9.8%), Ukraine (6.8%), Netherlands (6.3%), Taiwan (5.8%), Türkiye (4.9%), Poland (3.2%), Germany (3.1%), and India (2.8%).
Russia’s exported fertilizer mixes: Brazil (28.5% of total), Estonia (7.7%), India (6.8%), Hong Kong (4.1%), Mexico (3.8%), Romania (3.7%), Poland (3.4%), mainland China (also 3.4%), Finland (2.4%), and Ireland (2.3%).
Russia’s exported gold: United Kingdom (88.7% of total), Switzerland (2.4%), Kazakhstan (2.1%), India (1.8%), Germany (also 1.8%), Belarus (1.2%), Türkiye (0.7%), Hong Kong (0.5%), United Arab Emirates (0.4%), and Armenia (0.3%).
Based on the above lists, Russia appears to have a diversified portfolio of number one customers given that each of Russia’s 5 most valuable consumer products are different.
See also Russia’s Top 10 Imports, Russia’s Top 10 Exports, Top Russian Trade Balances and Russia’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
Research Sources:
Independent insights and analysis presented in this article were based on researched facts and statistics sourced from the following educational portals.
BoyceWire, Consumer Goods Definition. Accessed on September 26, 2023
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook: Russia Economy. Accessed on September 26, 2023
Imported Consumer Products, 100 Best Consumer Goods for Selling to Importers in Russia. Accessed on September 26, 2023
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on September 26, 2023
Investopedia, Consumer Goods, Consumer Staples Definition, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Accessed on September 26, 2023
Trading Economics, Russia Consumer Spending. Accessed on September 26, 2023
Wikipedia, List of largest consumer markets. Accessed on September 26, 2023