Food products lead recovery in exports to Russia, trend expected to continue

According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) in 2000 the export of Polish goods to Russia will increase by 25% and will reach $900 million to $1 billion. If, however, high oil prices are maintained, Poland will have no chances to decrease the trade deficit with Russia. The deficit will stay at about the $2 billion level. The data for the first two months of this year have shown the current increase of exports to Russia was mainly due to food products but compared to Russian food imports from the European Union (EU) and the U.S. Poland is still far behind. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 29) A.Z.