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Mauritius has a liberal economic and trade policy, with a trade-to-GDP ratio of 78.7% (World Bank, 2020 – latest data available). The country is a member of the WTO, as well as other regional economic groups (COMESA, SADC, IOC). Mauritius aims to transform the island into an open and globally competitive economy and to fully integrate it into the world trade system through its trade policies. Comparatively, the island does not have many trade barriers and customs duties are low (the average applied tariff is only 0.92%). In 2020, Mauritius exports were led by prepared or preserved fish, cane or beet sugar (sugarcane occupies 85% of the country's cultivated land), and clothing (mainly t-shirts, shirts and suits); while the country imported chiefly petroleum products, frozen fish, cars, medicaments and radio transmission equipment.
The country’s main trading partners are South Africa (11.8% of the total), France (11.4%), the United Kingdom (10%), the United States (9.7%), and Madagascar (6.8%); with imports originating in China (16.6%), the UAE (12.3%), India (9.5%), South Africa (7.7%), and France (7.3%).
Mauritius imports more than it exports, resulting in a structural trade deficit. In 2020, both export and imports of merchandise decreased as a consequence of the global crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. While imports stood at USD 4.2 billion (-24.3% year-on-year), exports decreased at a slower pace (-19.4%), totalling USD 1.8 billion. Traditionally, the country is a net service exporter, thanks to its tourism sector. Nevertheless, in 2020 the balance of trade in services turned negative (USD 1.298 billion of commercial services export against USD 1.311 billion of imports - data by WTO). When computing both goods and services, Mauritius’ trade deficit stood at 18.7% of GDP in 2020 (from 15.2% one year earlier - World Bank). According to the latest data from Statistics Mauritius, total merchandise export proceeds for the year 2021 were valued at MUR 82,105 million, representing an increase of 16.9% over the 2020 figure, thanks to increases in “Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material" (+27.5%), “Miscellaneous manufactured articles" (+24.0%) and “Food and live animals" (+1.9%). As per imports, they reached MUR 215,186 million, representing an increase of 29.8% year-on-year.
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 5,254 | 5,661 | 5,596 | 4,234 | 5,142 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 2,342 | 2,366 | 2,223 | 1,791 | 1,964 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 2,171 | 2,144 | 2,113 | 1,311 | 1,430 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 3,017 | 3,214 | 2,944 | 1,298 | 1,233 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 2 | -0 | 2 | -29 | 8 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 1 | 1 | -4 | -28 | 12 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -2,648 | -3,015 | -3,071 | -2,126 | -2,688 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 101 | 98 | 96 | 86 | 98 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 53 | 52 | 52 | 47 | 54 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 48 | 46 | 44 | 39 | 44 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2021 |
---|---|
South Africa | 13.9% |
France | 13.5% |
United Kingdom | 9.1% |
United States | 8.1% |
Madagascar | 7.7% |
Spain | 5.0% |
Italy | 4.8% |
Netherlands | 4.1% |
Vietnam | 3.9% |
Kenya | 3.0% |
India | 2.7% |
Belgium | 1.9% |
Germany | 1.7% |
China | 1.5% |
Switzerland | 1.5% |
United Arab Emirates | 1.5% |
Seychelles | 1.4% |
Japan | 0.9% |
Thailand | 0.8% |
Singapore | 0.8% |
See More Countries | 47.6% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2021 |
---|---|
China | 17.8% |
India | 15.6% |
United Arab Emirates | 8.6% |
South Africa | 8.0% |
France | 6.7% |
Germany | 2.7% |
Japan | 2.4% |
Türkiye | 2.4% |
United States | 2.3% |
Italy | 2.3% |
Spain | 2.1% |
Belgium | 2.0% |
Indonesia | 1.9% |
Malaysia | 1.8% |
Thailand | 1.6% |
United Kingdom | 1.6% |
Argentina | 1.3% |
Brazil | 1.3% |
Seychelles | 1.3% |
Australia | 1.2% |
See More Countries | 43.3% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows
3.2 bn USD of services exported in 2018 | |
---|---|
59.36% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 40.30% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 19.05% |
17.39% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 17.39% |
12.94% | |
Air transportAir transport | 9.37% |
PassengerPassenger | 8.50% |
FreightFreight | 0.87% |
4.42% | |
2.49% | |
Telecommunications servicesTelecommunications services | 2.35% |
Postal and courier servicesPostal and courier services | 0.14% |
1.70% | |
0.63% | |
Other personal, cultural, and...Other personal, cultural, and recreational services | 0.53% |
Audiovisual and related servicesAudiovisual and related services | 0.09% |
0.47% | |
Construction abroadConstruction abroad | 0.47% |
0.41% | |
Auxiliary servicesAuxiliary services | 0.41% |
0.17% | |
0.04% |
2.1 bn USD of services imported in 2018 | |
---|---|
31.26% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 29.04% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 2.22% |
29.51% | |
Air transportAir transport | 18.79% |
FreightFreight | 15.23% |
PassengerPassenger | 3.56% |
24.33% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 24.33% |
3.27% | |
Other personal, cultural, and...Other personal, cultural, and recreational services | 1.77% |
Audiovisual and related servicesAudiovisual and related services | 1.50% |
2.92% | |
2.86% | |
Telecommunications servicesTelecommunications services | 2.45% |
Postal and courier servicesPostal and courier services | 0.41% |
2.65% | |
Auxiliary servicesAuxiliary services | 2.65% |
2.11% | |
0.68% | |
0.31% | |
Construction in the compiling...Construction in the compiling economy | 0.31% |
0.11% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
Member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
Member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Member of Indian Ocean Rim - Association for Regional Cooperation
Click here for a comprehensive list of trade agreements signed by Mauritius.
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Latest Update: March 2023
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