Russia's ruble banknotes are seen in this file photo taken on April 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Hao)

MOSCOW, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia's trade surplus rose 46.3 percent year on year to 98 billion U.S. dollars in the first half (H1) of the year, the Russian Federal Customs Service said Tuesday.

"The trade balance was positive at 98 billion U.S. dollars, which is 31 billion U.S. dollars more than in January-June 2017," it said in a statement.

Trade turnover amounted to 330.6 billion dollars in H1, up 21.6 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports amounted to 214.3 billion dollars, 26.5 percent up from a year ago.

Fuel and energy products accounted for 63.9 percent of exports. Their volume increased by 3.4 percent and value grew by 29.3 percent.

Metals, another major export item contributing to the surplus, accounted for 10.6 percent of total exports.

Their export volume rose by 15.3 percent year on year while their value surged by 35.1 percent.

Imports were worth 116.3 billion dollars, rising by 13.6 percent from H1 in 2017.