Cotton is Chad's primary export, making the economy's trade balance vulnerable to fluctuations in world cotton prices and the rising competition of synthetic materials. In 2000, exports totaled $172 million, and imports amounted to $223 million. Cotton accounted for 50% of exports that year, with cattle exports contributing 35%. Exports of textiles and fish products accounted for most of the remaining 15%. Leading imports in 1998 were machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, and textiles.
Principal trading partners in 1998 (in millions of US dollars) were as follows:
COUNTRY | EXPORTS | IMPORTS | BALANCE |
Portugal | 40 | 4 | 36 |
Germany | 25 | 2 | 23 |
Thailand | 9 | n.a. | n.a. |
United States | 7 | 4 | 3 |
France | 5 | 67 | -62 |
Spain | 4 | 1 | 3 |
Belgium | 3 | 14 | -11 |
Nigeria | 3 | 15 | -12 |
India | n.a. | 6 | n.a. |
Senegal | n.a. | 7 | n.a. |
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