Russia's foreign trade surplus outside the former Soviet Union widened to $13.8 billion in the period from January to September, up from $11.9 billion a year ago, Interfax quoted the Foreign Trade Ministry as saying.


Ministry official Mikhail Stolyarov told Interfax on Monday that exports rose 9 percent over a year ago, to $33.2 billion in the first nine months of 1994. He said imports rose 5 percent to $19.4 billion over the same period.


But economists said the figure was grossly exaggerated due to under-reporting of imports to escape paying taxes.


Some economists say imports could be as much as double the official figure.


Economists also note that Russia's imports of consumer and luxury goods are soaring. Imports are now estimated to account for up to 50 percent of the domestic consumer goods market.


Economists said the State Statistics Committee reported total car imports of 150,000 in 1993, valuing each car at an average $5,000. But they said the figure grossly underestimated both the volume and the value of imported cars.


In the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok alone, port officials say more than 50 imported cars, mainly second-hand Japanese sedans, appear on the streets daily.


A rise in the foreign trade surplus also contrasts with a sharp decline in Central Bank foreign exchange reserves, down to $1.8 billion as of last week after nearly $5 billion in August on interventions on the foreign exchange market.


If the foreign trade surplus is correct, it means that capital flight from Russia in the first nine months of 1994 has approached $20 billion, which is far too high, senior economists said.


Stolyarov said the growth in imports was down sharply in September over a year ago due to faster ruble depreciation. Imports in September were up 1.4 percent over September 1993.


Interfax said Russian exports to the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States were 16.5 trillion rubles ($5.5 billion) and imports 12.7 trillion rubles. It gave no comparisons or breakdown.


International Monetary Fund, cross-checking with Russia's trade partners last year, showed the foreign trade surplus was more likely to be around $5 billion, rather than last year's official figure of $15 billion.


Trade data in Russia often fails to take into account illegal or shadow economy transactions, as well as the booming private sector.