Russian aluminium exports outside the Commonwealth of Independent States soared to 1,401,600 tonnes in the first four months of 2004 from 964,500 tonnes in the same period of 2003, the State Customs Committee (SCC) said on Tuesday.
Traders have said east European countries increased Russian aluminium imports ahead of EU membership on May 1, when a higher import tariff kicked in.
Russian primary aluminium producers RUSAL and SUAL have said their exports did not rise substantially.
A committee statement showed that January-April non-CIS exports of copper fell to 114,300 tonnes from 137,800, while nickel exports rose to 80,700 tonnes from 75,100.