MOSCOW, July 8 -- Russia exported 1.40 million metric tons of aluminum between January and May, a fall of 2.24% on the year, when 1.428 million tons was exported, the federal customs service said Wednesday.

The exported aluminum was worth $2.496 billion, compared with $2.134 billion a year ago.

Aluminum exports to countries outside the CIS during the period totaled 1.383 million tons worth $2.47 billion, compared with 1.418 million tons worth $2.12 billion in January-May 2009.