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Foreign Trade in Figures

Burundi is open to international trade (trade represents more than two-thirds of the GDP). The country is a member of different trade organizations: WTO, COMESA (Eastern and Southern Africa), ECCAS (Central Africa).

Burundi's trade balance is in a structural deficit, according to the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, this trend should continue during the next following years. This situation is mainly explained by a stammering manufacturing sector and a small diversity in the tertiary sector. The deterioration of the trade balance during the last year was also a result from the increase in gas prices and the materials related to the construction sector, such as cement. In addition, the income drawn by the exports is much lower than the cost of imports. The main export products are raw materials (coffee, tea, sugar, cotton). The manufactured goods represent less than 10% of exports.

Burundi's main clients are Japan, Germany, Pakistan, Rwanda and Sudan. The country imports most of all: petro-products, foodstuff and capital goods from Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Uganda, the European Union, China and India.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20072008200920102011
Imports of Goods (million USD) 319403402450700
Exports of Goods (million USD) 59576480140
Imports of Services (million USD) 170241160156-
Exports of Services (million USD) 7327-
Trade Balance (million USD) -195-266-277--
Current Account (million USD) -108-259-164--

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

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Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2010
Switzerland 26.9%
United Kingdom 13.4%
Belgium 13.0%
United Arab Emirates 8.8%
Kenya 8.7%
See More Countries 29.2%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2010
China 12.0%
Belgium 12.0%
Japan 9.4%
Zambia 8.4%
Kenya 7.3%
See More Countries 50.9%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

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Main Products

Main Exports
(% of Exports)
2010
Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated;...Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion 59.6%
Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought...Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought or not further worked than semi-manufactured or in powder form 11.0%
Tea, whether or not flavouredTea, whether or not flavoured 8.5%
Tungsten ores and concentratesTungsten ores and concentrates 2.5%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 2.1%
See More Products 16.3%
Main Imports
(% of Imports)
2010
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 9.0%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured 8.6%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 5.0%
Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in...Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form 3.1%
Malt, whether or not roastedMalt, whether or not roasted 2.5%
See More Products 71.7%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 

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Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation
Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Member of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)

Member of African Union (AU)

Member of East African Community (EAC)

Assessment of Commercial Policy
Country’s commercial policy
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products)
18.68%
 

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

 
Useful Resources
National Organization of Intellectual Property
Contact the Ministry of Trade and Industry
 

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Last Updates: May 2012

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