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Burundi
(information)
Population as of 2020: 11.8 million 78 of 193
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Region: Central Africa
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $2.16 billion 171 of 193
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Top Exports
Burundi remains one of Africa's most export-concentrated economies, relying heavily on **gold, coffee, tea, and a handful of mineral and agricultural products**. **Total exports:** approximately **US$184–200 million in 2024**. | Rank | Export Product | Estimated Export Value (USD) | | ---- | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------: | | 1 | **Unwrought gold** | **~US$32.3 million** | | 2 | **Coffee** | **~US$30.3 million** | | 3 | **Tea** | **~US$16.0 million** | | 4 | **Niobium, tantalum, vanadium & zirconium ores** | **~US$16.0 million** | | 5 | **Cigarettes and tobacco products** | **~US$12.7 million** | | 6 | **Wheat or meslin flour** | **~US$11.5 million** | | 7 | **Beer made from malt** | **~US$10.1 million** | | 8 | **Tin ores and concentrates** | **~US$6.6 million** | | 9 | **Glass bottles, jars and containers** | **~US$4.5 million** | | 10 | **Processed petroleum oils** | **~US$4.2 million** | | 11 | Iron and steel products | ~US$3.5 million | | 12 | Vehicles and vehicle parts | ~US$3.0 million | | 13 | Plastics and plastic articles | ~US$2.5 million | | 14 | Fruits and nuts | ~US$2.0 million | | 15 | Raw hides and skins | ~US$0.8 million | | 16 | Leather products | ~US$0.6 million | | 17 | Live plants and flowers | ~US$0.3 million | | 18 | Fish and aquatic products | ~US$0.3 million | | 19 | Animal products and by-products | ~US$0.2 million | | 20 | Miscellaneous exports | ~US$1.0 million | Key Takeaways * 🥇 **Gold became Burundi's largest export product in 2024**, slightly ahead of coffee. Gold, coffee, and tea together accounted for a very large share of total export earnings. * ☕ **Coffee remains the backbone of the rural export economy**, and Burundi is known internationally for high-quality Arabica coffee. * 🍃 **Tea is the third-largest export**, giving Burundi one of the most agriculture-dependent export baskets in Africa. * ⛏️ **Mineral exports are growing rapidly**, especially tantalum-, niobium-, zirconium-, and tin-bearing ores. Ores were among the fastest-growing export categories in 2024. * 🚬 **Manufactured products such as cigarettes, flour, and beer** are unusual but significant export earners for a country of Burundi's size. * ⚠️ **Export concentration remains very high.** Gold, coffee, tea, mineral ores, tobacco products, and flour account for most export revenue. Top Importers of Burundi's Exports (2024) | Rank | Country | Main Imports from Burundi | | ---- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | 1 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Gold, food products, regional trade goods | | 2 | United Arab Emirates | Gold and precious metals | | 3 | Switzerland | Gold and specialty commodities | | 4 | Belgium | Coffee, tea, and minerals | | 5 | Pakistan | Tea and agricultural products | | 6 | Sudan | Agricultural goods and regional trade | | 7 | India | Gold, coffee, and ores | | 8 | China | Mineral ores and raw materials | | 9 | Saudi Arabia | Gold and agricultural products | | 10 | Germany | Coffee, tea, and specialty imports | Key Patterns * 🥇 **The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UAE are among Burundi's most important export destinations.** Recent trade data shows the DRC receives a very large share of Burundi's exports, while the UAE is a major destination for gold. * 🪙 **Gold drives trade with the UAE, Switzerland, India, and Saudi Arabia.** Precious metals have become one of Burundi's most valuable exports. * ☕ **Coffee and tea drive trade with Europe and Pakistan.** Burundi's reputation for high-quality Arabica coffee helps maintain export relationships with European buyers. * ⛏️ **Mineral ores increasingly flow to Asian markets.** China and India are important destinations for Burundi's growing mineral exports. * 🌍 **Exports are split between neighboring African markets and global commodity hubs.** Unlike some African countries that rely on one destination, Burundi's exports are spread across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
