Andrey Klychkov: Trade Turnover Between Oryol Region and Belarus Grew by 21% in 2025

According to the governor, the foreign trade turnover of the Oryol Region with Belarus increased by 21 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. Exports grew by 34 percent, while imports rose by 14 percent. Belarus's share in the region's foreign trade turnover reached 33 percent.

Belarusian partners are in demand for Oryol meat and dairy products, flour, cereals, sunflower and rapeseed oils, confectionery, chocolate, flakes, and muesli. Also exported are ready-made animal feed, fertilizers, plastic products, paper, and cardboard. Oryol ceramic products, detergents and cleaning agents, rubber products are highly regarded by Belarusian consumers. Supplies of ferrous metals, technical textiles, copper products, mechanical and electrical equipment have been established.

The main range of imports to the Oryol Region includes meat by-products, vegetables, eggs, fertilizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, paints and varnishes, particle boards and fiberboards. Belarusian clothing, footwear, and furniture are popular among Oryol residents. Farmers traditionally trust Belarusian agricultural machinery.

In the sphere of industrial cooperation, the long-standing partnership between the "Mtsensk Plant 'Komash'" and the Minsk Automobile Plant is particularly significant. New models of municipal and road machinery are being jointly developed on the MAZ chassis. Assembly production of specialized equipment from "Komash" machinery kits on MAZ chassis has been organized in Minsk and Mogilev. The jointly manufactured products are successfully sold both in Russia and Belarus, as well as in near and far abroad countries.

Representative offices of major industrial enterprises of the Oryol Region are located in the Minsk Region: "GMS Livgidromash," "Livnynasos," "Prompribor," "Proton," "Proton-Elektroteks." Oryol farmers try not to miss the international specialized exhibition "BELAGRO" in Minsk. Following business missions to Belarus in 2025, 184 contracts were signed with Belarusian partners worth $6.5 million.

In 2025, Oryol residents purchased 32 tractors from the Minsk Tractor Plant, 11 grain harvesters, and 1 forage harvester from "Gomselmash." After the opening of a multi-brand center for the sale and servicing of Belarusian agricultural machinery in Oryol, cooperation in this sphere became even more effective.

Andrey Klychkov noted that the region implements cooperation agreements with all regions of Belarus. Twin-city agreements have been concluded between Livny and Kobrin, as well as between the Sovetsky District of Oryol and the Oktyabrsky District of Minsk, and between the Oryol Municipal District and the Chervensky District of the Minsk Region. Oryol has become a twin city of Gomel and Brest.

Active interaction is also developing in the cultural sphere. At the theater festival "Velvet of the Wings," nine ensembles from the Vitebsk Region successfully presented their performances. Leading theaters of Oryol participated in the 19th International Youth Theater Forum "M.@rt.contact" in Mogilev. The second international competition of performers on folk instruments "Melodies of the Slavic Soul" took place, with the participation of 75 musicians from different regions of Belarus.

Oryol residents highly appreciated the works of Minsk graphic artist Vladimir Providokhin (Vladimir Khin), as well as paintings by women artists as part of the international exhibition for March 8. Many joint projects were implemented for Victory Day. More than 30 joint events are planned before the end of the year, including the opening at the Oryol Regional Museum of the exhibition "I am a Fortress, I am Fighting..." from the funds of the Brest Fortress memorial complex.

The governor emphasized that all this is not even cultural exchange, but a single cultural space in which the Oryol Region and Belarus coexist, enriching, developing, and supporting each other.