Based on materials from Reuters and Economic News.

Russia exported about 17 tonnes (547,600 troy ounces) of platinum worth $494 million last year and 127 tonnes (4.08 million ounces) of palladium worth $823 million, customs data showed on Thursday.

No comparison with previous years' exports were available, as Russia lifted the veil of secrecy over precious metals data only last year.

The key market for Russian PGM exports were the USA (palladium – 47 tons, $302 mln), Great Britain (platinum – 2.7 tons, $79 mln), Switzerland (platinum – 10 tons, $304 mln, palladium – 41 tons, $266 mln) and Japan (platinum – 1.5 tons, $43.5 mln, palladium – 18 tons, $116 mln).

However, MMC Norilsk Nickel, Russian main PGM producer, in 2005 produced 97.4 tons of palladium and 23.4 tons of platinum. According to the company’s reports, it sells all the PGM produced. The data about PGM resources of GOKHRAN and the Central Bank of Russia is still classified.