Burundi: Perfil comercial
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
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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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