Mozambique flag Mozambique: Economic and Political Overview

Foreign trade figures of Mozambique

Foreign Trade in Figures

Mozambique is open to foreign trade, which represents more than 106% of the country's GDP (World Bank, latest data available). According to data from Comtrade, in 2023, the country’s main exports comprised coal (21.3%), petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons (20.9%), unwrought aluminium (13.2%), electrical energy (8.0%), and coke and semi-coke of coal, lignite or peat (5.6%); whereas imports were led by petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous (16.4%), fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates (3.8%), rice (3.5%), wheat and meslin (2.8%), and motor vehicles for the transport of goods (2.6%). Revenues from natural gas and electricity exports rose by USD 1,184.1 million and USD 87.2 million, respectively. In contrast, income from aluminium, mineral coal, and heavy sands exports dropped by 33.1%, 22%, and 8.4%, respectively (data Central Bank).

The country's main customers in 2023 were India (15.6%), China (14.2%), South Africa (14.0%), South Korea (5.6%), and the United Kingdom (4.8%); while the main suppliers were South Africa (23.2%), China (15.4%), the United Arab Emirates (10.3%), India (8.0%), and Singapore (6.1% - Comtrade). Mozambique is a member of the WTO and of the South African Development Community (SADC), and has signed trade agreements with Malawi and Zimbabwe. In February 2018, Mozambique joined the EU–SADC EPA that was signed in June 2016 by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. The country also signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Customs duties remain high and there are numerous non-tariff barriers in the country (such as slow customs clearance procedures).

Mozambique's trade balance is negative and is expected to remain so until exports of coal and gas to Asia develop further.  In 2023, the country exported USD 8.2 billion, importing 10.1 billion (stable and -31.1% year-on-year, respectively, as the high import figure in 2022 was driven by the arrival of the Coral Sul FLNG floating platform). As per services, exports reached USD 1 billion against USD 2.1 billion in imports (data WTO). The World Bank estimated the country’s trade balance to be negative by 15.1% of GDP in 2023, from 35.6% the previous year. According to preliminary figures from the Central Bank, from January to September 2024, Mozambique's goods exports generated USD 6.1 billion, marking an increase of USD 218 million compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the goods import bill decreased by 1.7%, reaching USD 6.4 billion.

 
Foreign Trade Values 20192020202120222023
Imports of Goods (million USD) 7,4286,5148,75814,67110,098
Exports of Goods (million USD) 4,6693,7205,7048,2998,276
Imports of Services (million USD) 2,7622,7782,5572,5752,123
Exports of Services (million USD) 9317818221,128997

Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Indicators 20192020202120222023
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 105.699.9112.1135.3105.6
Trade Balance (million USD) -2,212-2,202-2,257-5,056-903
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) -4,069-4,210-4,008-6,523-1,891
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) -11.2-4.29.730.9-25.2
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) -2.7-15.216.826.5-5.3
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 68.467.171.785.560.3
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 37.132.840.449.845.3

Source: World Bank ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Forecasts 20242025 (e)2026 (e)2027 (e)2028 (e)
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) 3.54.31.93.226.4
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) 31.316.97.3-3.10.1

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

 
International Economic Cooperation
Member of Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Member of African Union

Member of Cotonou Agreement

Member of African Growth and Opportunity Act beneficiary country

 

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2023
India 15.6%
China 14.2%
South Africa 14.0%
South Korea 5.6%
United Kingdom 4.8%
See More Countries 45.7%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2023
South Africa 23.2%
China 15.4%
United Arab Emirates 10.3%
India 8.0%
Singapore 6.1%
See More Countries 37.0%

Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

 
 

Main Products

8.3 bn USD of products exported in 2023
Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels...Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal 21.3%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 20.9%
Unwrought aluminiumUnwrought aluminium 13.2%
Electrical energyElectrical energy 8.0%
Coke and semi-coke of coal, of lignite or of peat,...Coke and semi-coke of coal, of lignite or of peat, whether or not agglomerated; retort carbon 5.6%
See More Products 31.1%
10.1 bn USD of products imported in 2023
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 16.4%
Fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and...Fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts (excl. inorganic or organic compounds of mercury) 3.8%
RiceRice 3.5%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin 2.8%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab 2.6%
See More Products 70.9%

Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

 
 

To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.

 

Main Services

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

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Latest Update: May 2025