TBILISI, January 20. /TASS/. The trade turnover between Georgia and Russia in 2022 exceeded $2.4 bln, which is 52% more than in 2021, according to data published by the National Statistics Service of Georgia on Friday.

Russia has taken second place among Georgia's largest trading partners. Over the past year, its share in Georgia's foreign trade amounted to 13.1%. In 2022, Georgia exported over 73,000 metric tons of natural wines for over $160 mln, more than 57,000 metric tons of ferroalloys for over $108 mln, more than 5,399 cars for over $75 mln, more than 12,000 metric tons of alcoholic beverages for more than $56 mln, more than 92,000 metric tons of mineral and fresh water for over $50 mln.

In turn, Russia shipped with more than 657,000 metric tons of oil and oil products for over $622 mln to Georgia in 12 months, which is almost 3-fold more than in 2021. Last year, Russia also delivered to Georgia more than 416,000 metric tons of oil gases and hydrocarbons for around $113 mln, about 180,000 metric tons of wheat or wheat-rye flour for around $67 mln, over 174,000 metric tons of wheat and meslin for over $61 mln, more than 114,000 metric tons of coke and semi-coke for over $59 mln.

Turkey was first among Georgia’s trading partners in 2022, which trade exceeding $2.8 bln, which is 30% more than in 2021. China was third with the trade turnover of over $1.8 bln (annual growth of 26%).

The total foreign trade turnover of Georgia in 2022 exceeded $19 bln, which is 32.8% higher than in 2021. Exports amounted to over $5.5 bln (+31.8% year-on-year), while imports amounted to $13.4 bln (+33.2% year-on-year). The negative balance of foreign trade last year exceeded $7.8 bln (41.3% of the total trade turnover).

The Union of Oil Products Importers of Georgia reported earlier on Friday that the volume of liquefied gas supplied from Russia to Georgia reached 43,100 metric tons in 2022, which is 18.3% more than in 2021. "Imports of liquefied gas totaled 43,300 tons in 2022, up 6,700 tons, or 18.3%, from the previous year's figure (36,600 tons),"the statement said, adding that 99.5% or 43,100 metric tons of all imported liquefied gas was supplied from Russia.

At the same time, imports of oil bitumen in 2022 increased by 3.6% and amounted to 121,700 metric tons. Most of the bitumen last year was supplied from Azerbaijan -40.7%, followed by Turkey -26.4%, and Iraq -21.9%. Meanwhile, 9,200 metric tons were supplied from Russia, which is 7.5% of the total bitumen imports last year.