Russia's agriculture exports have surged by almost a third in the first five months of the year. Food is Russia's second biggest export after oil and gas, helping to diversify the economy away from energy. The country exported 29.5 percent more agriculture and food products, worth $9.5 billion, than in the same period last year. In particular, the export of wheat through May surged to 17.1 million tons worth $3.1 billion. Turkey increased Russian wheat imports by 2.4 times, Latvia - by 3.4 times, and Vietnam - more than 19 times.