Navigator
Cabo Verde
(information)
Population as of 2020: 555,987 165 of 193
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Region: Island off of West Africa
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $2.77 billion 166 of 193
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Top Exports
Top Exports of Cabo Verde (2024) — U.S. Dollar Estimates
Total merchandise exports:** approximately **US$87–98 million** in 2024.
Cabo Verde’s exports remain **heavily dominated by seafood products**, especially tuna and processed fish exports to Europe.
| Rank | Export Product | Estimated Export Value (USD) | Notes |
| ---- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| 1 | **Prepared/preserved tuna** | **~US$30–35 million** | Largest export product |
| 2 | **Frozen fish fillets** | **~US$10–12 million** | Major seafood export |
| 3 | **Canned fish products** | **~US$8–10 million** | Core fish-processing industry |
| 4 | **Scrap iron & metal waste** | **~US$5–7 million** | Largest non-seafood export |
| 5 | **Fishing/hunting equipment** | **~US$4–5 million** | Maritime sector |
| 6 | **Footwear parts** | **~US$3–4 million** | Small manufacturing niche |
| 7 | **Garments/apparel** | **~US$3–4 million** | Textile exports to Europe |
| 8 | **Fish meal/flour** | **~US$2–3 million** | Fish-processing byproduct |
| 9 | **Salt products** | **~US$1–2 million** | Traditional export |
| 10 | **Animal hides & skins** | **~US$1 million** | Minor agricultural export |
| 11 | **Processed marine products** | **~US$1 million** | Seafood derivatives |
| 12 | **Beverages & food products** | **~US$0.8–1 million** | Consumer exports |
| 13 | **Vegetable oils/fats** | **~US$0.5–1 million** | Small export category |
| 14 | **Paper/cardboard products** | **~US$0.5 million** | Packaging materials |
| 15 | **Plastic products** | **~US$0.5 million** | Minor manufacturing |
| 16 | **Textile yarn/fabrics** | **~US$0.4–0.8 million** | Small textile exports |
| 17 | **Machinery re-exports** | **~US$0.3–0.7 million** | Limited trade activity |
| 18 | **Chemical products** | **~US$0.3–0.5 million** | Industrial goods |
| 19 | **Agricultural produce** | **~US$0.2–0.5 million** | Small-scale exports |
| 20 | **Miscellaneous goods** | **~US$0.2–0.5 million** | Residual exports |
Key Takeaways
* 🐟 **Seafood overwhelmingly dominates**
* Fish-related exports account for roughly **75–85% of total exports**.
* 🇪🇸 **European demand drives the economy**
* Especially exports to:
* Spain
* Portugal
* broader EU markets
* ⚓ **Classic maritime export economy**
* Fishing and fish processing are the backbone of merchandise exports.
* 🏭 **Very limited industrial base**
* Small contributions from:
* garments
* footwear parts
* scrap metals
Top Importers of Cabo Verde’s Exports (2024)
| Rank | Country | Notes |
| ---- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 1 | **Spain** | By far the largest buyer; tuna, canned fish, frozen seafood. |
| 2 | **Portugal** | Historical trade ties; seafood and garments. |
| 3 | **Italy** | Processed fish and marine products. |
| 4 | **France** | Seafood and niche exports. |
| 5 | **Netherlands** | EU logistics/trade hub for fish products. |
| 6 | **Brazil** | Lusophone trade relationship; food products. |
| 7 | **United States** | Small seafood and specialty imports. |
| 8 | **Senegal** | Regional West African trade. |
| 9 | **Germany** | Processed seafood imports. |
| 10 | **Belgium** | EU trade and seafood distribution. |
Key Patterns
* 🐟 **Seafood determines trade partners**
* Countries importing the most exports are primarily major **European seafood markets**.
* 🇪🇸 **Spain dominates overwhelmingly**
* Cabo Verde’s economy is deeply tied to the Spanish fish-processing and seafood market.
* 🇵🇹 **Portugal remains highly important**
* Due to:
* colonial/historical links
* language ties
* migration and business networks
* 🇪🇺 **Exports are heavily Europe-focused**
* Most goods flow into:
* Spain
* Portugal
* Italy
* France
* Netherlands
* ⚓ **Classic Atlantic maritime trade structure**
* Fish processing and marine exports shape nearly the entire export network.
