Country profiles:
Burundi: Trade Profile
Burundi is relatively closed to global trade: according to the World Bank, foreign trade represents around 28% of Burundi's GDP. Coffee and gold represent the main export products (respectively 25.9% and 25% of total exports), followed by tea (10.9%), with cigars also being one of the main exports (4.9%). To promote exports, the government has established various institutions to support the country's producers and exporters, including the Burundi Coffee Quality Institute. The key imports are refined petroleum (23.5% of total imports), fertilizers (6.3%), medicaments (3.5%), motor cars (3.1%), and cement (2.7% - data Comtrade 2022).
In 2022, Burundi's main suppliers were Saudi Arabia (14.7%), China (14.1%), the United Arab Emirates (13.9%), Tanzania (9.1%), and India (8.5%), whereas Burundi's exports were directed chiefly towards the United Arab Emirates (28.0%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (18.6%), Switzerland (9.5%), Belgium (8.0%), Pakistan (4.9%), and Tanzania (4.8% - data Comtrade). Burundi is a member of the following trade organizations: the WTO, COMESA (Eastern and Southern Africa), ECCAS (Central Africa), and the East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania).
Burundi's trade balance is structurally negative, a trend which should continue in the coming years. This situation is mainly due to the country's large imports of manufactured goods and oil, its poor manufacturing sector, and a lack of diversity in the tertiary sector. In 2022, Burundi exported goods for 199 million USD, while its imports amounted to 1.2 billion USD (+20.6% and +17% y-o-y, respectively). Burundi is also a net importer of services (USD 82 million in export against 333 million in imports in 2022 – WTO). According to the World Bank, in 2022, the country’s trade balance was estimated to be negative by 18.4% of GDP (from 18.2% one year earlier).
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 909 | 1,025 | 1,260 | 1,198 | 994 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 162 | 163 | 207 | 210 | 153 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | 226 | 272 | 335 | 351 | 365 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | 31 | 41 | 48 | 58 | 62 |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | -600 | -681 | -819 | -809 | -729 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
| Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2022 |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 28.0% |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 18.6% |
| Switzerland | 9.5% |
| Belgium | 8.0% |
| Pakistan | 4.9% |
| Tanzania | 4.8% |
| Egypt | 2.5% |
| Oman | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | 2.0% |
| Ethiopia | 1.9% |
| Germany | 1.9% |
| Uganda | 1.4% |
| Mauritius | 1.3% |
| Kenya | 1.2% |
| United States | 1.0% |
| Vietnam | 0.8% |
| France | 0.7% |
| Rwanda | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | 0.6% |
| Singapore | 0.6% |
| See More Countries | 30.9% |
| Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2022 |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 14.7% |
| China | 14.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 13.9% |
| Tanzania | 9.1% |
| India | 8.5% |
| Uganda | 6.0% |
| Kenya | 5.4% |
| Japan | 3.3% |
| Belgium | 2.5% |
| Zambia | 2.2% |
| Türkiye | 1.7% |
| Germany | 1.4% |
| France | 1.4% |
| Egypt | 1.3% |
| Poland | 1.1% |
| Oman | 1.0% |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 0.9% |
| Argentina | 0.9% |
| Italy | 0.8% |
| United States | 0.8% |
| See More Countries | 39.8% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows
Member of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
Member of African Union (AU)
Member of East African Community (EAC)
Member of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
Member of African Union (AU)
Member of East African Community (EAC)
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Latest Update: March 2026
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