MOSCOW, July 8 -- Russia exported in January-May 92,600 metric tons of nickel, 1.54% more than in the same months of 2009, when 91,200 tons were exported, the federal customs service reported Wednesday.

The exported nickel was worth $1.99 billion compared with $981.9 million a year ago.

All the nickel was exported to countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States.