Top Export Partners Of Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation off Africa’s southeast coast. It is a small country with a population of roughly 1.26 million people and a land area of 790 square miles. Mauritius’ $31.705 billion GDP relies heavily on the service and tourist industries.

Mauritius’ industrial sector is underdeveloped due to a lack of capital and competent personnel. Due to its small market, it is not a favored location for global corporations.

Mauritius exported US$2 billion of products in 2018, a decrease of 6.6 percent and 26.3 percent from 2017 and 2014, respectively. The primary market for Mauritian goods is France.

The US, UK, South Africa, Madagascar, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Kenya, Germany, and China are others. Europe accounts for 48.5 percent of overall exports on a continental basis, while fellow African nations contribute 22.3 percent.

Asia imported 15.2% of the total, with North America importing 12.2%. Exports accounted for around 6.5 percent of GDP in 2018 and $1,450 per person.

This is a considerable decrease from the previous year’s figure of 8.1 percent, demonstrating a reduced reliance on overseas markets for economic performance.

Compared to a year ago, the country’s unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percent to 6.7 percent in July 2019. 75.6 percent of all exports were made up of the top ten items.

The fastest-growing exports include plastic, seafood, and electrical gear and equipment, while sugar and sugar confectionery are down 43.4 percent yearly.

Table of Contents

Mauritius’s Top Export Partners

1. France is number one.

The primary market for Mauritian goods is France. In 2018, the European country purchased 14.1 percent of Mauritius’ exports. Since 2016, when it outwitted Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, France has been the top market.

It imported $278.2 million in 2018, down from 333 million the previous year. France and Mauritius have had a strong relationship since France occupied the island in the early 1800s. Textiles, cotton, raw sugar, jewels, and precious metals are among the exported items.

2. The United States of America

Mauritius exported $238 million worth of goods to the United States in 2018, accounting for 11.7 percent of total exports. This represents a considerable drop from a 2014 peak of $279 million.

Exports to the United States have fallen due to lower-cost Chinese items and Trump Administration import restrictions. Woven garments, precious metals and stones, meat and fish, and sugar are the top exports to the United States.

3. United Kingdom of Great Britain

The United Kingdom is becoming an increasingly important market for Mauritian exports. Exports to the European country have increased from $199 million in 2014 to $225 million in 2018.

Textiles, diamonds, precious metals, and sugar are among the items sent to the United Kingdom. The UK’s exit from the European Union is expected to destabilize the Mauritian textile export market.

4. South Africa is number four.

In Africa, South Africa is Mauritian products’ primary export market. The nation exported commodities valued at more than US$218 million in 2018.

Exports to South Africa ranged between $179 million and $218 million between 2012 and 2018, with a low of $179 million and a high of $218 million. The principal exports to South Africa include textiles, plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, and sugar.

5. Madagascar

Madagascar and Mauritius are two countries that share a border and have strong commercial relations. Mauritius exported about $122 million of products to Madagascar in 2018, accounting for 6.1 percent of total exports.

On the other hand, exports have been steadily declining since reaching a peak of $174 million in 2014. Textiles, plastic, processed foods, and drinks are among the items exported to Madagascar.

The Payment Balance

Since 2010, Mauritius has had a negative payment balance. The African country had a $3.3 billion trade imbalance in 2018. Mauritius’ top imports are refined petroleum, non-fillet fish, automobiles, airplanes, and coal briquettes.

Clothing accessories, meat and seafood preparations, sugar and sugar sweets, diamonds and precious metals, and plastics are Mauritius’ most significant exports.