China’s Russian chocolate imports fell 32% in September

China imported $3.2 million worth of Russian chocolate and chocolate products in September, down 32% from a year earlier, RIA Novosti reported, citing its analysis of Chinese customs data.

Imports rose 5.7-fold compared with August. According to the agency’s calculations, September’s value was the highest since December last year.

The agency attributed the contrast between the monthly and annual figures to seasonal trade patterns. Shipment values typically decline in spring and summer before rising in autumn and winter.

Over the current year’s three quarters, China imported $9.9 million worth of Russian chocolate and chocolate products. That was 32% below the corresponding period a year earlier, according to RIA Novosti’s calculations.