China-Russia Trade Jumps 32.1% Through October
Bilateral trade rose sharply in the first ten months of 2026 as China's total foreign trade also expanded strongly.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in International Trade
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Mutual trade between China and Russia reached $242.49 billion from January to October 2026, up 32.1 percent year-on-year, according to China's Main Customs Administration. China's total trade with all countries rose 25.3 percent to $6.52 trillion over the same period.
Why it matters
The figures show Russia deepening its trade ties with China as it reorients commerce toward partners such as China, India, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Russia reports that friendly countries now account for 85 percent of its foreign trade turnover.
Chinese exports to Russia reached $109.26 billion, up 33 percent since the start of the year, while Russian exports to China totaled $133.23 billion, up 31.5 percent. China's total exports rose 22.7 percent to $3.78 trillion, and imports rose 29 percent to $2.74 trillion.
The players
China's Main Customs Administration (GTU)
China's national customs authority, which publishes the official foreign trade statistics cited for these figures.
The details
Mutual trade between the two countries totaled $242.49 billion in the first ten months of 2026. Russia reported that its trade turnover with China, India, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East reached almost 25 trillion rubles in the first half of 2026, while Russian exports rose 15 percent year-on-year.
Timeline
First half of 2026: Russia's trade turnover with reoriented partners reached almost 25 trillion rubles.
January to October 2026: China-Russia trade rose 32.1 percent year-on-year.
Market Dynamics
The 32.1 percent rise in China-Russia trade continues Russia's post-2022 effort to redirect commerce away from Western markets toward partners in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Russia's report that friendly countries now make up 85 percent of its foreign trade turnover shows how far that reorientation has progressed.
Shifts in bilateral trade volumes between China and Russia can affect exporters, importers and currency exposure for businesses tied to either market. Investors with exposure to Chinese or Russian trade flows may need to watch how continued reorientation changes supply chains and pricing.
The takeaway
Trade flows between China and Russia are growing faster than China's overall trade, a sign that bilateral ties are becoming more central to both economies. Businesses tracking these corridors should monitor customs data to gauge where demand is moving.
Further reading
For more background on how trade flows are shifting between major economies, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oreanda-news.
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