Haiti Major Exports

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has an economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture and remittances. Despite facing economic challenges, the country has a diverse range of exports, including agricultural products, textiles, and minerals. Haiti’s export industries are vital for generating foreign exchange and supporting local employment. Below is an overview of Haiti’s major exports, along with their trade values.

Apparel and Textiles

Haiti’s textile industry is a significant part of its export economy, driven by preferential trade agreements like the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and the Haiti-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The country’s garment sector manufactures clothing, mainly for U.S. and international markets.

Trade Value

  • Apparel exports are Haiti’s largest export category, valued at approximately $900 million USD in 2023.
  • The textile sector accounts for over 80% of Haiti’s total export revenue, primarily composed of garments such as t-shirts, jeans, and underwear.

Key Export Markets

  • United States (the primary destination, receiving more than 90% of Haiti’s textile exports)
  • Canada
  • European Union

Coffee

Haiti is known for producing high-quality Arabica coffee, which is highly prized in international markets. Coffee cultivation plays an essential role in rural livelihoods, with many small farmers engaged in coffee production.

Trade Value

  • Coffee exports reached approximately $30 million USD in 2023.
  • Despite challenges like climate change and deforestation, Haiti’s coffee industry remains one of the most important agricultural sectors.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • European Union (especially France and Germany)
  • Canada

Mangoes and Other Fruits

Mangoes are among Haiti’s most valuable agricultural exports, with the country producing several varieties of the tropical fruit. Other fruits such as avocados, papayas, and pineapples also contribute to the nation’s export earnings.

Trade Value

  • Mango exports were valued at about $30 million USD in 2023, with Haiti ranking among the top exporters of mangoes in the Caribbean.
  • Other fruits, including avocados, brought in an additional $10 million USD in 2023.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Caribbean countries

Essential Oils and Natural Extracts

Haiti has a well-established market for essential oils and natural extracts, particularly those derived from herbs and flowers such as vetiver, which is widely used in the perfume industry. Vetiver oil is a critical export for Haiti, and it has a strong presence in global markets.

Trade Value

  • Essential oils, particularly vetiver, contribute approximately $20 million USD to Haiti’s export revenue.
  • The export of essential oils is a growing sector, driven by global demand for natural fragrances and aromatherapy products.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • France
  • European Union

Textile and Clothing Materials

Haiti also exports raw materials used in the textile industry, including yarn, fabric, and other unfinished textiles. These products are often sent to countries where they are processed and then re-exported as finished goods.

Trade Value

  • Textile materials accounted for $50 million USD in exports in 2023.
  • These materials primarily cater to the regional markets, including the Dominican Republic, which has a robust textile industry.

Key Export Markets

  • Dominican Republic
  • United States
  • Other Caribbean nations

Iron and Steel

Haiti has some mineral resources, including small quantities of iron ore and steel products. While the country does not have large-scale mining operations, iron and steel exports still contribute to its trade balance.

Trade Value

  • Iron and steel exports were valued at around $15 million USD in 2023, though this sector is limited in scope compared to others.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • Dominican Republic
  • Caribbean countries

Manufactured Goods

Haiti has a limited manufacturing base, but the country exports some manufactured goods, primarily processed foods, beverages, and small-scale industrial products. This sector continues to grow, aided by trade agreements with other Caribbean nations.

Trade Value

  • Manufactured goods, including processed food items and beverages, contributed about $25 million USD in 2023.
  • These exports are mainly targeted toward regional markets and the United States.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • Caribbean nations
  • Canada

Other Agricultural Products

In addition to coffee, mangoes, and essential oils, Haiti also exports a range of other agricultural products such as cocoa, rice, and beans. These products support the livelihoods of rural Haitians and provide valuable foreign exchange.

Trade Value

  • Other agricultural products, including cocoa, rice, and beans, contributed around $20 million USD in 2023.
  • Haiti’s cocoa, though limited in scale, is noted for its rich flavor and is sought after in niche markets.

Key Export Markets

  • United States
  • Canada
  • European Union

Summary of Key Export Categories

  • Apparel and textiles: $900 million USD
  • Coffee: $30 million USD
  • Mangoes and other fruits: $40 million USD
  • Essential oils and natural extracts: $20 million USD
  • Textile and clothing materials: $50 million USD
  • Iron and steel: $15 million USD
  • Manufactured goods: $25 million USD
  • Other agricultural products: $20 million USD

Haiti’s export economy is highly dependent on its agricultural and textile sectors, with the United States serving as the dominant market for many of these goods. As the country continues to face economic challenges, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and governance, its export industries remain a crucial source of income and foreign exchange.

Top Products Exported by Haiti

Top Products Exported by Haiti

Market Value: 1,678 (millions) – Last Updated: June, 2024

Rank Product Trade Value (thousands) Share (%) Growth (% 5yr)
1 Knitted T-Shirts 272,891 16.27 264.32
2 Knitted Sweaters 142,496 8.49 163.47
3 Non-Knit Mens & Boys Suits 40,231 2.40 163.16
4 Knitted Mens & Boys Shirts 16,913 1.01 196.42
5 Essent Oils Resinoid 14,303 0.85 159.19
6 Dates 11,904 0.71 48.43
7 Non-Knit Mens & Boys Shirts 6,952 0.41 92.41
8 Cocoa 5,017 0.30 -10.47
9 Coffee 4,102 0.24 14.97
10 Shell Fish 3,791 0.23 -3.80
11 Knitted Mens & Boys Suits 3,565 0.21 -28.55
12 Knitted Mens & Boys Overcoats 3,420 0.20 189.88
13 Cast Iron Articles 2,436 0.15 31,253.86
14 Ferrous Waste & Scrap 2,394 0.14 0.00
15 Aluminum Waste & Scrap 2,187 0.13 4,624.10
16 Non-Knit Womens & Girls Suits 1,736 0.10 167.71
17 Cow &Horse Hides -No Hair 1,379 0.08 14.75
18 Bells & Ornaments 1,354 0.08 57.71
19 Non-Knit Track Suits 1,263 0.08 -27.02
20 Twine 1,211 0.07 85.10
21 Alcoholic Beverages 1,202 0.07 52.78
22 Knitted Gloves 1,168 0.07 -86.44
23 Fruit Peel 1,149 0.07 5.28
24 Transformers, Converters & Power Supplies 933 0.06 -32.36
25 Knitted Womens & Girls Slips 873 0.05 -87.43
26 Goat Leather – No Hair 860 0.05 -20.47
27 Sacks & Bags of Textile Material 700 0.04 -53.13
28 Knit &Lace Hats 685 0.04 34.90
29 Prepared Fruit 626 0.04 216.26
30 Made-Up Articles of Textile Materials 592 0.04 -64.92
31 Plastic Waste 590 0.04 0.00
32 Pearls 536 0.03 5,038.63
33 Non-Knit Womens & Girls Blouses 482 0.03 -41.66
34 Fishing Rods & Tackle 449 0.03 -15.68
35 Plants For Pharmacy 437 0.03 -26.01
36 Articles of Iron & Steel 386 0.02 -67.59
37 Felt Garments 386 0.02 -75.93
38 Copper Waste & Scrap 371 0.02 -12.81
39 Embroidery in the Piece 343 0.02 18.06
40 Live Fish 341 0.02 -24.89
41 Beer 303 0.02 15,942.51
42 Butter 298 0.02 1,127.53
43 Original Sculptures & Statues 283 0.02 254.89
44 Switches, Relays & Fuses < 1000 Volts 281 0.02 -30.72
45 Electronic Integrated Circuits 260 0.02 0.00
46 Leather Apparel & Accessories 242 0.01 7.86
47 Non-Knit Womens & Girls Slips 223 0.01 -96.09
48 Electric Storage Batteries 218 0.01 1,005.07
49 Margarine 214 0.01 318.49
50 Used & New Rags 201 0.01 0.00
51 Bras 184 0.01 -97.46
52 Coral & Shell 177 0.01 -66.03
53 Hand Paintings & Drawings 164 0.01 -46.64
54 Hair Preparations 161 0.01 17,007.32
55 Locust Beans 161 0.01 -13.24
56 Passenger Vehicles 139 0.01 985.50
57 Electric Motors & Generators 138 0.01 9,105.86
58 Wood Marquetry 138 0.01 -30.33
59 Household Art & Parts 135 0.01 48.49
60 Products of Plaiting Materials 134 0.01 36.41
61 Other Animals 133 0.01 1,723.41
62 Non-Knit Mens & Boys Overcoats 128 0.01 -14.15
63 Furniture & Parts 127 0.01 -56.41
64 Dishwashing & Packaging Machines 118 0.01 0.00
65 Knitted Womens & Girls Suits 112 0.01 -99.47
66 Engine Parts 102 0.01 453.45
67 Knitted Womens & Girls Blouses & Shirts 98 0.01 -85.99
68 Motor Vehicle Parts 97 0.01 0.00
69 Foliage 93 0.01 19.07
70 Non-Knit Mens & Boys Undershirts 87 0.01 -97.70
71 Pumps For Liquids 87 0.01 83.44
72 Non-Knit Babies Garments & Accessories 86 0.01 -69.79
73 Buttons 81 0.00 -55.91
74 Printed & Illustrated Post Cards 77 0.00 105.76
75 Festive & Entertainment Art 67 0.00 80.06
76 Polymers of Propylene & Other Olefins 67 0.00 0.00
77 Odoriferous Mixtures 63 0.00 -73.97
78 Cel Phones, Video Recorders & Radio Transcievers 62 0.00 0.00
79 Pig & Chicken Lard 61 0.00 -65.98
80 Fresh Vegetables 60 0.00 76.88
81 Aircraft Parts 59 0.00 0.00
82 Air & Vacuum Pumps 57 0.00 64.30
83 Dolls 56 0.00 15.69
84 Molluscs 56 0.00 -70.34
85 Telephone, Fax & Switching Apparatus 54 0.00 504.82
86 Gloves 52 0.00 -17.21
87 Ink Jet Printers 49 0.00 1,238.67
88 Food & Drink Preparation Machines 47 0.00 4,838.88
89 Prepared & Preserved Meat 46 0.00 0.00
90 Hardware For Furniture, Doors & Windows 45 0.00 0.00
91 Natural Sands 41 0.00 -59.32
92 Tableware & Kitchenware 40 0.00 50.67
93 Braids & Tassels 38 0.00 -62.35
94 Basketwork 38 0.00 -74.73
95 Flour & Meal 36 0.00 197.94
96 Ceramic Articles 35 0.00 451.91
97 Articles of Jewelry & Parts 35 0.00 -5.26
98 Computers, Printers & Storage Units 34 0.00 79.83
99 Chicken 34 0.00 0.00
100 Pasta 33 0.00 143.33
101 Knitted Babies Garments & Accessories 31 0.00 -96.92
102 Art Paper 29 0.00 -67.40
103 Citrus Fruit 29 0.00 504.02
104 Ginger, Thyme & Spices 28 0.00 0.00
105 Oscilloscopes & Electrical Measuring Instruments 28 0.00 0.00
106 Parts for Hats & Headgear 28 0.00 44.01
107 Books 27 0.00 381.89
108 Parts For Electric Equipment 27 0.00 2,426.75
109 Lamps & Lighting Fittings 25 0.00 -9.00
110 Paints & Varnishes for Leather 24 0.00 0.00
111 Water Heaters 22 0.00 306.16
112 Battery Waste 22 0.00 0.00
113 Apparel & Accessories of Rubber 21 0.00 34.80
114 Misc Fats & Oils 20 0.00 135.73
115 Knitted Pantyhose 20 0.00 307.11
116 Physical Exercise Equipment 20 0.00 -98.22
117 Insulated Wire & Cable 20 0.00 -77.35
118 Handbags, Wallets & Travel Goods 19 0.00 -92.33
119 Bread, Pastry & Cakes 18 0.00 0.00
120 Dried Vegetables 17 0.00 0.00
121 Articles of Wood 16 0.00 -32.89
122 Articles of Plastics 16 0.00 67.15
123 Fresh Fruit 15 0.00 234.50
124 Knitted Garments 15 0.00 -99.61
125 Seats & Parts 15 0.00 -74.93
126 Pictures & Photos 14 0.00 59.85
127 Medical, Dental & Vet Instruments 14 0.00 -13.74
128 Polymers of Ethylene 14 0.00 -50.35
129 Transister & Semiconductor Devices 13 0.00 1,086.24
130 Knitted Womens & Girls Overcoats 13 0.00 -99.59
131 Wine 13 0.00 0.00
132 Articles of Stone 12 0.00 2.76
133 Diesel Engines 11 0.00 0.00
134 Orthopedic Appliances 11 0.00 0.00
135 Worked Ivory Articles 11 0.00 -88.72
136 Raw Hides & Skins 11 0.00 -92.62
137 Mineral Substances 10 0.00 0.00
138 Ceramic Statuettes 10 0.00 -41.30
139 New Short Code 9 0.00 0.00
140 Tobacco 9 0.00 0.00
141 Composite Diagnostic & Lab Reagents 9 0.00 0.00
142 Saturated Acyclic Nonocarbox Acid & Aldehyde 9 0.00 0.00
143 Wood Sawn > 6 mm 8 0.00 0.00
144 Other Footwear 8 0.00 84.45
145 Ships Derricks & Cranes 7 0.00 0.00
146 Air Conditioners 7 0.00 268.41
147 Measuring or Checking Instruments 7 0.00 0.00
148 Imitation Jewelry 7 0.00 -66.25
149 Engines & Motors 6 0.00 0.00
150 Parts For Fork Lifts, Bulldozers & Graders 5 0.00 0.00
151 Animal Feed 5 0.00 -86.09
152 Mechanical Machinery & Parts 5 0.00 0.00
153 Peanuts 5 0.00 0.00
154 TV Receivers 5 0.00 0.00
155 Cabbages 5 0.00 0.00
156 Automatic Regulating & Control Instruments 5 0.00 0.00
157 Collectors Items of Botanic 5 0.00 0.00
158 Rice 5 0.00 0.00
159 Electrical Resistors 5 0.00 0.00
160 Harvest Machines 4 0.00 0.00
161 Articles of Cement 4 0.00 0.00
162 Instruments for Measure & Check Flow 4 0.00 0.00
163 Woven Fabrics of Synthetic Staple Fibers 4 0.00 0.00
164 Instruments For Physical or Chemical Analysis 4 0.00 3.64
165 Checks & Stamps 4 0.00 0.00
166 Wigs of Hair 4 0.00 -98.99
167 Electric Capacitors 4 0.00 0.00
168 Textile Footwear 4 0.00 0.00
169 Wood Charcoal 3 0.00 -94.84
170 Leather Footwear 3 0.00 -72.98
171 Bed & Table Linen 3 0.00 -93.43
172 Parts of Electric Motors 3 0.00 0.00
173 Precious & Semiprecious Stones 3 0.00 -43.86
174 Onions 3 0.00 0.00
175 Structures & Parts of Iron or Steel 3 0.00 0.00
176 Tarps, Sails & Tents 3 0.00 0.00
177 Ceramic Tableware & Earthenware 3 0.00 66.54
178 Office Paper 3 0.00 -77.69
179 Puzzles, Models & Toys 3 0.00 -97.08
180 Misc Animal Products 3 0.00 0.00
181 Glass Fibers & Articles 3 0.00 0.00
182 Furnace Burners 2 0.00 0.00
183 Records & Tapes 2 0.00 -88.43
184 Perfumes & Toilet Waters 2 0.00 -88.84
185 Electric Sound & Visual Signaling Apparatus 2 0.00 -87.72
186 Candy 2 0.00 0.00
187 Washers & Dryers 2 0.00 0.00
188 Paint & Varnish 2 0.00 0.00
189 Motorcycles 2 0.00 0.00
190 Parts of Musical Instruments 2 0.00 0.00
191 Live Plants 2 0.00 -99.21
192 Compasses & Navigation Instruments 1 0.00 0.00
193 Computer & Office Machines Parts 1 0.00 -95.80
194 Glassware For Table 1 0.00 -99.86
195 Setts & Curbstones 1 0.00 36.57
196 Knitted Made-Up Clothing Accessories 1 0.00 -82.06
197 Plastic Containers 1 0.00 -97.87
198 Synthetic Sewing Threads 1 0.00 -77.01
199 Buckwheat 1 0.00 0.00
200 Microphones 1 0.00 0.00
201 Electric Ignition Equipment 1 0.00 0.00
202 Sanitary & Toiletry Paper 1 0.00 -99.80
203 Chain & Parts 1 0.00 0.00
204 Monument Stone Articles 1 0.00 -96.97
205 Leather Used in Machinery 1 0.00 -71.87
206 Television, Radio & Assessory Parts 1 0.00 -99.36
207 Screws, Bolts & Nuts 1 0.00 -89.86
208 Textile Fabric 0 0.00 -29.01
209 Electromagnets 0 0.00 -99.79
210 Knitted Track Suits 0 0.00 -99.82
211 Made-Up Clothes Accessories 0 0.00 -99.84
212 Bricks 0 0.00 0.00
213 Knitted Mens & Boys Underpants 0 0.00 -99.98
214 Files, Pliers & Shears 0 0.00 -66.23
215 Household Articles 0 0.00 0.00
216 Plastic Household Articles 0 0.00 -99.47
217 Textile Wicks For Lamps 0 0.00 0.00
218 Articles of Leather 0 0.00 -99.47
219 Plastic & Rubber Footwear 0 0.00 -80.91
220 Misc Carpets 0 0.00 0.00
221 Malt Extract 0 0.00 0.00
222 Stoppers & Caps 0 0.00 0.00
223 Vegetable Products 0 0.00 -98.17
224 Photographic Still Cameras 0 0.00 0.00
225 Electric Filament & Discharge Lamps 0 0.00 0.00
226 Tableware of Base Metal 0 0.00 0.00
227 Vanilla Beans 0 0.00 0.00
228 Ivory 0 0.00 0.00
229 Beauty & Make-up Perparations 0 0.00 -99.48
230 Chocolate 0 0.00 -82.51
231 Paper Labels 0 0.00 0.00
232 Mattress Supports 0 0.00 -99.41
233 Wood Packings 0 0.00 0.00
234 Melons & Papayas 0 0.00 -99.81
235 Notebooks & Business Forms 0 0.00 0.00
236 Personal Toilet Preparations 0 0.00 0.00
237 Tubes & Pipes- > 4MM 0 0.00 0.00
238 Tools For Working in the Hand 0 0.00 0.00
239 Brooms & Mops 0 0.00 -99.97
240 Sauces & Condiments 0 0.00 -96.73
241 Salt 0 0.00 0.00
242 Hand Tools 0 0.00 -93.99
243 Preserved Fruit & Nuts 0 0.00 -99.99
244 Cassava 0 0.00 -99.92
245 Soap 0 0.00 -98.62
246 Padlocks 0 0.00 0.00
247 Wooden Frames, Paintings. 0 0.00 -99.91
248 Food Preparations 0 0.00 -99.90
249 Woven Cotton Fabrics – > 85% < 200G/M2 0 0.00 0.00
250 Hand-Woven Tapestries 0 0.00 0.00
251 Non-Adhesive Plastic Plates, Sheets & Film 0 0.00 0.00
252 Combs 0 0.00 0.00
253 Rubber Thred & Cord 0 0.00 0.00
254 Parts For Machine Tools 0 0.00 0.00
255 Paper Transfers 0 0.00 0.00
256 Coated Paper 0 0.00 -99.96
257 Prepared Unrecorded Sound Media 0 0.00 0.00