Moscow has come in first in a ranking of Russian regions by the number of companies exporting products to foreign online markets. According to the Online Retail Export 2018 joint survey, conducted by Data Insight and eBay, Moscow’s export index stands at 196 against an average value of 100. St Petersburg comes second in the ranking, with an export index of 185, followed by the Saratov Region, with 134 “points.” 
“The capital city’s export success is to the most part due to the Moscow Government’s efforts to boost this sector of trade and the overall support it has given to companies manufacturing goods for the international markets. The Moscow Export Centre plays an important role in this respect,” noted Deputy Moscow Mayor Natalya Sergunina.
Sergunina added that the centre operates in a one-stop-shop format and covers all the city’s current export support programmes. It holds consultations and educational events, helps promote output on different platforms and offers entrepreneurs a chance to represent the Made in Moscow brand at Russian and foreign exhibitions.
The latest statistics reveal that over two years, Russian online retail exports rose from $430 mio in 2016 to $746 mio, an increase of 70%. The top selling categories were clothes and shoes, electronics, household and interior decor. By the end of 2018 foreign purchasers will spend an average of $67 in Russian online stores, up from $55 in 2016.
General Manager of eBay Russia Ilya Kretov commented that in 2017 the increase in retail exports surpassed experts’ forecasts, rising by 28% instead of the estimated 14%. The hike in 2018 amounted to 36%. The economic potential of Russia’s online retail export is estimated at $10 biln. Reaching this figure would require the consolidation of all the market players and regulators.