Burundi is open to global trade. According to World Bank, in 2020, foreign trade represented 33% of Burundi's GDP. Gold and coffee represent the main export products (respectively 28.3% and 19% of total exports), followed by tea (13.3%) ; while the key imports are refined petroleum (15.1% of total imports), pharmaceutical products (5.5%), motor vehicles (4.8%), fertilizers (3.7%) and cement (3.4%).
In 2020, Burundi's main suppliers were, China (15.6%), Saudi Arabia (11.8%), India (9.5%), Tanzania (8.6%) and United Arab Emirates (6.8%). Burundi's exports were directed chiefly towards the United Arab Emirates (32.2%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (19.6%), Pakistan (5.6%), Tanzania (5.3%) and Belgium (5%). Burundi is a member of the following trade organisations: the WTO, COMESA (Eastern and Southern Africa), ECCAS (Central Africa) and the East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania). The recent tensions between China and the USA benefited the country, which developed its production of rare earth.
Burundi's trade balance is structurally negative (-496 million USD in 2018, World Bank), a trend which should continue in the coming years. This situation is mainly due the country's large imports of manufactured goods and oil, its poor manufacturing sector and a lack of diversity in the tertiary sector. In 2020, Burundi exported goods for 162 million USD, while its imports of goods amounted to 909 million USD. In 2018, it imported 216 million USD worth of service, while it exported services for 24 million USD (WTO, latest data available). In 2020, imports of goods and services increased by 9% compared to 2019, while exports decreased by 10% (World Bank). In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and weak global demand, exports decreased while imports of medical products increased, deteriorating the trade balance. Higher commodity prices, including oil prices, as well as the depreciation of the Burundian franc are expected to weight on the import bill in 2022.
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 755 | 793 | 887 | 909 | 1,030 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 172 | 180 | 180 | 162 | 156 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 206 | 216 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 17 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 13 | 19 | 17 | 3 | 14 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 32 | 11 | -0 | -15 | 18 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -475 | -496 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 22 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 16 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2021 |
---|---|
Democratic Republic of Congo | 23.9% |
Belgium | 12.2% |
Pakistan | 8.6% |
Tanzania | 5.8% |
Oman | 5.3% |
See More Countries | 44.2% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2021 |
---|---|
China | 18.0% |
Saudi Arabia | 13.4% |
Tanzania | 9.2% |
India | 8.2% |
United Arab Emirates | 8.0% |
See More Countries | 43.2% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows
0.1 bn USD of services exported in 2018 | |
---|---|
76.87% | |
10.57% | |
3.98% | |
3.74% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 3.44% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 0.30% |
2.11% | |
1.21% | |
0.75% | |
0.74% | |
0.02% | |
n/a% |
0.2 bn USD of services imported in 2018 | |
---|---|
70.09% | |
9.95% | |
Business travelBusiness travel | 5.49% |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 4.46% |
8.34% | |
5.80% | |
3.75% | |
0.96% | |
0.61% | |
0.51% | |
0.01% | |
n/a% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
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: February 2023