Business updates

Total exports for the first semester of 2019 amounted to Rs 34.0 billion, 6% higher compared to the corresponding semester of 2018.

Domestic exports amounting to Rs 26.4 billion, accounted for 78% of total exports in the first semester of 2019. While comparing to the corresponding semester of 2018, domestic exports showed an increase of nearly 7.2%.

Analysis by exports of destination for the first semester of 2019 showed that the European countries remained our main markets, importing more than 40% of our total exports for a value of Rs 15.4 billion. As far as the top countries of export are concerned, the major destinations for our exports were USA (11.3%), South Africa (10.0%), UK (11.0%), France (10.2%), Madagascar (7.1%), Italy (5.5%) and Spain (4.0%).

Compared to the corresponding semester of 2018, exports to Europe have decreased by 3%. Exports to Spain, Germany, and UK have registered a drop of 29.0%, 18.0% and 7.0% respectively. While on the other hand, exports to Italy and Belgium went up by 5% and 3% respectively.

Exports to Africa have increased by 11% in the first semester of 2019 when compared to the corresponding semester of 2018. The main countries that have registered the significant increase in exports were Kenya (37.0%), Madagascar (21.0%), Seychelles (18.0%) and South Africa (4.0%).  

Total imports for the first semester of 2019 amounted to Rs 94.8 billion, showing an increase of 9% compared to the corresponding semester of 2018. Asia was our main supplier with imports originating mainly from India (18.4%) and China (16.5%). The other major suppliers were South Africa (8.8%) and France (7.6%).

Based on recent past trends and information from various sources, Statistics Mauritius has forecasted total exports and imports for 2019 at around Rs 83.0 billion and Rs 207.8 billion respectively.

The full report can be downloaded from the website of Statistics Mauritius here.