Main image: Helsingi Autor/allikas: Ken Mürk/ERR
Despite the existing international restrictions, Finnish imports of goods from Russia showed growth during the first four months of the year, according to data from the Finnish Customs Authority.
From January to April this year, the total value of imported Russian goods reached €285 million, which is €15 million higher than during the same period last year, according to ERR. The main reason for this increase was the purchase of food-related categories that are not covered by EU sanctions.
In monetary terms, nickel and related metals accounted for the largest share of Finnish imports, while in terms of physical volume, ammonia — used in the production of mineral fertilizers — held the leading position.
However, Finnish experts expect that due to new EU regulations coming into force, the volume of Russian ammonia supplies will begin to decline in the near future.
The observed growth is taking place against the backdrop of a historic low overall level: since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the annual volume of Finnish imports from Russia has decreased from €9 billion to approximately €1 billion.
