Central African Republic - Foreign trade



Diamonds are the largest Central African commodity export, sold either for jewelry (35%), or natural abrasives (35%). Many diamonds are smuggled out of the country, so exact figures are difficult to compile. Agricultural exports are cotton (14%) and coffee (2.6%). Another 5% can be attributed to the manufacture of motor vehicles and parts.

In 1996 the Central African Republic's imports were distributed among the following categories:

Central African Republic

Consumer goods 10.6%
Food 8.6%
Fuels 8.1%
Industrial supplies 29.4%
Machinery 13.9%
Transportation 24.8%
Other 4.8%

Principal trading partners in 1998 (in millions of US dollars) were as follows:

Central African Republic

COUNTRY EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE
Belgium 147 8 139
Spain 19 1 18
France 8 55 -47
Lebanon 7 2 5
Italy 6 2 4
Cameroon 5 19 -1
Congo, Dem. Rep. Of 2 1 1
United States 2 5 -3
Japan 1 6 -5
Germany 1 3 -2
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