Russia’s copper export plummeted by 73.5% in January-August 2011 compared with January-August 2010; the figure amounted to 83,200 tons, Russia’s Federal Customs Service’s press service reports.

The physical volume of nickel export decreased by 41.6% and reached 89,300 tons over the given period.

The value of copper shipments declined from $2.15bn in January-August 2010 down to $770.2m a year later; that of nickel plunged from $3.218bn down to $2,29bn.

Remarkably, nearly all of copper and nickel shipments were directed to the countries of the far abroad this year.