Burundi Major Exports
Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, faces various challenges related to its economic development. Despite these obstacles, the country has a few critical export sectors that contribute to its national income. Burundi’s export economy is largely based on agricultural products, which dominate the country’s export portfolio. Coffee, tea, and various minerals form the backbone of Burundi’s exports. As Burundi continues to face economic and infrastructure challenges, its export economy remains vital for economic survival and growth.
Agricultural Products
Coffee
Coffee is Burundi’s most significant export commodity, accounting for a substantial share of the country’s export revenue. The country’s fertile highlands, rich volcanic soil, and favorable climate make it an ideal location for coffee cultivation. Burundi’s coffee is renowned for its high quality, particularly Arabica beans, which are produced predominantly by small-scale farmers. Coffee is mainly exported in its raw form, although some processing is done locally.
- Key Export Destinations: The European Union, the United States, and Japan are the major markets for Burundi’s coffee exports.
- Export Characteristics: Burundi’s coffee is mostly sold in bulk, though some is processed and sold under various brands. The coffee is prized for its fruity, floral flavor profile and high quality.
Trade Value:
- Coffee exports generate approximately $100 million USD annually, making it the largest export commodity for Burundi.
Tea
Tea is another major agricultural export for Burundi. The country produces both black and green tea, cultivated in the highland regions. Burundi’s tea industry is growing and is increasingly becoming an important revenue generator. Although Burundi’s tea industry is smaller than some of its regional neighbors, it benefits from favorable growing conditions and expanding international demand.
- Key Export Destinations: Major markets for Burundian tea include Pakistan, the European Union, and the United States.
- Export Characteristics: Burundi exports both processed and packaged tea, with a focus on high-quality black tea that is popular in global markets.
Trade Value:
- Tea exports bring in around $50 million USD annually, contributing significantly to Burundi’s export revenue.
Fresh Horticultural Products
Burundi also exports a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, although the scale of these exports is smaller compared to coffee and tea. The country’s fertile soils and favorable climate support the cultivation of bananas, pineapples, beans, and various other vegetables, which are sold in neighboring countries and some international markets.
- Key Export Destinations: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are among the main destinations for Burundi’s fresh produce.
- Export Characteristics: Fresh horticultural products are usually sold regionally, with a focus on bananas, pineapples, and beans. Some processed products, such as dried fruits, are also exported.
Trade Value:
- Fresh horticultural products contribute approximately $25 million USD to Burundi’s exports annually.
Mineral Exports
Gold
Gold mining is becoming increasingly important for Burundi’s export sector. While the sector is still developing, gold has started to emerge as a key export product in recent years. The country has significant untapped gold reserves, particularly in the regions of Bubanza and Cibitoke. As global gold prices continue to rise, Burundi’s gold exports are expected to grow steadily.
- Key Export Destinations: The primary markets for Burundian gold are the United Arab Emirates, India, and Switzerland, where it is used for jewelry and investment purposes.
- Export Characteristics: Gold is primarily exported in its raw form, although some artisanal mining also contributes to the production of refined gold.
Trade Value:
- Gold exports contribute around $20 million USD annually to Burundi’s total export revenue.
Tin
Tin is another important mineral export for Burundi, although it represents a smaller share of the country’s overall exports compared to gold. Burundi has significant tin reserves, and mining of this metal is concentrated in the provinces of Kayanza and Ngozi. Tin is primarily used in the electronics industry, for manufacturing items such as solder, coatings, and packaging.
- Key Export Destinations: The major markets for Burundian tin include China, Rwanda, and neighboring countries in East Africa.
- Export Characteristics: Burundi exports both refined and unrefined tin, with much of the unrefined product being processed in regional countries like Rwanda and Uganda before it reaches international markets.
Trade Value:
- Tin exports contribute approximately $15 million USD annually.
Manufactured Goods
Handicrafts and Artifacts
In addition to raw materials, Burundi also exports a range of handicrafts and traditional artifacts. These products are mainly crafted by local artisans and include items such as woven baskets, wood carvings, and beadwork. These handcrafted goods are popular among tourists and are also sold in niche markets abroad.
- Key Export Destinations: The United States, the European Union, and regional markets within East Africa are primary destinations for Burundian handicrafts.
- Export Characteristics: The products are mostly sold as souvenirs or decorative items, reflecting Burundi’s rich cultural heritage. They include intricately designed baskets, jewelry, carvings, and textiles.
Trade Value:
- Handicraft exports contribute around $10 million USD annually to Burundi’s export economy.
Textiles
While Burundi’s textile industry is still in its early stages of development, the country has begun to increase its textile exports, especially from small-scale garment manufacturers. Burundi produces a variety of garments, including traditional attire, cotton clothing, and handwoven textiles, which are exported to regional markets and increasingly to international markets.
- Key Export Destinations: Neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania are key importers of Burundian textiles.
- Export Characteristics: Textiles from Burundi are often produced by hand or through small-scale industrial processes. These textiles include woven fabrics, cotton garments, and hand-dyed items.
Trade Value:
- Textile exports contribute approximately $5 million USD annually to Burundi’s export revenue.
Other Exports
Animal Products
Burundi also exports small quantities of animal products, particularly hides and skins, which are used in leather production. The country has a significant cattle population, and as the livestock sector grows, the export of animal products is expected to increase.
- Key Export Destinations: The main markets for Burundi’s animal products are neighboring countries, especially in East Africa.
- Export Characteristics: The exports are primarily raw hides and skins, which are then processed into leather products elsewhere.
Trade Value:
- Animal product exports contribute approximately $5 million USD annually.
Fish
The fisheries sector in Burundi is also an important contributor to the country’s export economy. The country’s lakes, particularly Lake Tanganyika, are rich in fish resources, and both freshwater and processed fish are exported to regional markets.
- Key Export Destinations: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania are the primary markets for Burundian fish exports.
- Export Characteristics: Freshwater fish such as tilapia and sardines are the main products exported, often sold in neighboring countries.
Trade Value:
- Fish exports contribute around $3 million USD annually to Burundi’s export earnings.
Burundi’s export economy is still heavily reliant on agriculture, with coffee and tea dominating the export portfolio. However, there are growing contributions from the mining sector, with gold and tin becoming increasingly important. As the country continues to develop its infrastructure and improve its export policies, it is expected that Burundi will continue to diversify its export economy. The country’s key exports will play an important role in enhancing its economic growth and stability in the years to come.
Top Products Exported by Burundi
Market Value: 144 (millions) – Last Updated: June, 2024
| Rank | Product | Trade Value (thousands) | Share (%) | Growth (% 5yr) |
| 1 | Coffee | 31,398 | 21.84 | 70.14 |
| 2 | Tea | 5,891 | 4.10 | 924.27 |
| 3 | Filters & Centrifuges | 2,398 | 1.67 | 25,290.47 |
| 4 | Diamonds | 2,282 | 1.59 | 36,706.42 |
| 5 | Cotton | 1,704 | 1.18 | 530.55 |
| 6 | Medical, Dental & Vet Instruments | 1,630 | 1.13 | 172,569.49 |
| 7 | Lumber | 516 | 0.36 | 355.04 |
| 8 | Cut Flowers & Buds | 436 | 0.30 | 2.44 |
| 9 | Vans & Buses | 359 | 0.25 | 3,618.00 |
| 10 | Live Fish | 212 | 0.15 | 25.17 |
| 11 | Leather Footwear | 163 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| 12 | Computers, Printers & Storage Units | 157 | 0.11 | 5,810.39 |
| 13 | Raw Hides & Skins | 126 | 0.09 | 229.05 |
| 14 | Live Plants | 92 | 0.06 | -47.71 |
| 15 | Cel Phones, Video Recorders & Radio Transcievers | 78 | 0.05 | 6,686.77 |
| 16 | Granite | 76 | 0.05 | 0.00 |
| 17 | Non-Knit Womens & Girls Suits | 73 | 0.05 | 383.92 |
| 18 | Mechanical Machinery & Parts | 62 | 0.04 | 2,095.90 |
| 19 | Niobium | 62 | 0.04 | -87.28 |
| 20 | Bananas | 58 | 0.04 | 0.00 |
| 21 | Electronic Integrated Circuits | 58 | 0.04 | 0.00 |
| 22 | Knitted Sweaters | 55 | 0.04 | 370.43 |
| 23 | Goat Leather – No Hair | 53 | 0.04 | 89.12 |
| 24 | Plants For Pharmacy | 47 | 0.03 | -77.97 |
| 25 | Copper Waste & Scrap | 47 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 26 | Furniture & Parts | 42 | 0.03 | 663.55 |
| 27 | Television, Radio & Assessory Parts | 38 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 28 | Telephone, Fax & Switching Apparatus | 30 | 0.02 | 4.58 |
| 29 | Fruit & Vegetable Juice | 28 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 30 | Prepared Fruit | 28 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 31 | Sheep Skins | 26 | 0.02 | -29.02 |
| 32 | Seamed Hollow Tubes & Pipes | 20 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 33 | Natural Vegetable Fats & Oils | 18 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 34 | Instruments For Physical or Chemical Analysis | 16 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 35 | Fresh Fish | 14 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 36 | Knit &Lace Hats | 12 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 37 | Pumps For Liquids | 11 | 0.01 | 2,032.68 |
| 38 | Other Footwear | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 39 | Knitted T-Shirts | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 40 | Transformers, Converters & Power Supplies | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 41 | Instruments for Measure & Check Flow | 9 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 42 | Molding Boxes For Metal Foundry | 8 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 43 | Woven Pile & Chenille Fabrics | 8 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 44 | Percussion Instruments | 7 | 0.00 | 669.14 |
| 45 | Aircraft Parts | 6 | 0.00 | -18.33 |
| 46 | Wood Marquetry | 6 | 0.00 | -70.17 |
| 47 | Felt Garments | 6 | 0.00 | 512.20 |
| 48 | Plastic Containers | 6 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 49 | Wine | 5 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 50 | Worn Clothing | 5 | 0.00 | -64.89 |
| 51 | Knitted Womens & Girls Overcoats | 4 | 0.00 | 329.13 |
| 52 | Medicines in Doses | 4 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 53 | Basketwork | 4 | 0.00 | 94.69 |
| 54 | Computer & Office Machines Parts | 3 | 0.00 | 80.52 |
| 55 | Electric Capacitors | 3 | 0.00 | -18.42 |
| 56 | Seats & Parts | 3 | 0.00 | -61.17 |
| 57 | Non-Knit Mens & Boys Overcoats | 3 | 0.00 | -38.17 |
| 58 | Polymers of Vinyl Chloride | 3 | 0.00 | -97.56 |
| 59 | Passenger Vehicles | 2 | 0.00 | -98.24 |
| 60 | Structures & Parts of Iron or Steel | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 61 | Semi Trucks & Tractors | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 62 | Food Preparations | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 63 | Photocopy Apparatus | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 64 | Ties | 1 | 0.00 | 34.78 |
| 65 | Articles of Wood | 1 | 0.00 | -86.19 |
| 66 | Motorcycles | 1 | 0.00 | -66.64 |
| 67 | Reception Apparatus For Radiotelephony | 1 | 0.00 | 44.00 |
| 68 | Motor Vehicle Parts | 1 | 0.00 | -89.83 |
| 69 | Ferrous Waste & Scrap | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 70 | Non-Knit Mens & Boys Suits | 1 | 0.00 | -90.57 |
| 71 | Trucks | 1 | 0.00 | -99.24 |
| 72 | Books | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 73 | Engine Parts | 1 | 0.00 | -75.50 |
| 74 | Non-Knit Womens & Girls Overcoats | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 75 | Switches, Relays & Fuses < 1000 Volts | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 76 | Survey Instruments | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 77 | Chickens | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 78 | Articles of Plastics | 0 | 0.00 | -95.34 |
| 79 | Knitted Mens & Boys Shirts | 0 | 0.00 | -92.86 |
| 80 | Pictures & Photos | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 81 | Refrigerators & Freezers | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 82 | Dishwashing & Packaging Machines | 0 | 0.00 | -99.14 |
| 83 | Electric Water Heaters | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 84 | TV Receivers | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 85 | Bed & Table Linen | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 86 | Articles of Iron & Steel | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 87 | Composite Diagnostic & Lab Reagents | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 88 | Woven Cotton Fabrics > 85% > 200 G/M2 | 0 | 0.00 | -88.76 |
| 89 | Knives | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 90 | Knitted Garments | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 91 | Handbags, Wallets & Travel Goods | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 92 | Primary Cells & Batteries | 0 | 0.00 | -99.89 |
| 93 | Organic Surface-Active Agents | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 94 | Prepared Glues & Adhesives | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 95 | Insulated Wire & Cable | 0 | 0.00 | -95.82 |
| 96 | Extracts of Coffee | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 97 | Microphones | 0 | 0.00 | -97.67 |
| 98 | Parts For Fork Lifts, Bulldozers & Graders | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 99 | Interchange Hand & Machine Tools | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 100 | Electrical Resistors | 0 | 0.00 | -99.66 |
| 101 | Physical Exercise Equipment | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
