Business
Trade Balance Deficit Worsens to Rs 19.2 Billion in August 2024

In August 2024, Mauritius recorded a significant trade balance deficit of Rs 19.2 billion. This figure marks a 9.2% increase compared to the previous month, which saw a deficit of Rs 17.4 billion, and represents a 10.4% rise from August 2023, when the deficit was nearly Rs 17.2 billion.
The widening trade deficit primarily stems from a substantial increase in the country’s imports, which continue to outpace exports year after year.
In August 2023, the total value of exports was Rs 9.7 billion, showing only a slight increase to Rs 10 billion in August 2024—an increase of Rs 302 million.
In stark contrast, imports surged by over Rs 2 billion, reaching Rs 29.3 billion in August 2024, compared to Rs 27 billion during the same month last year.
This also reflects a rise from Rs 27.5 billion in July 2024.
A detailed breakdown of the trade figures revealed that domestic exports accounted for Rs 5.6 billion of the total exports.
This included Rs 3.9 billion from the sale of bunker fuels for ships and other bunkering activities, alongside Rs 2 billion from re-exports.
The data also indicated that significant contributors to the rise in import values include the purchase of petroleum products, food items, and vehicles and transportation equipment, which collectively constituted nearly 65% of the total import value for the month.
As expected, South Africa remained Mauritius’ largest trading partner, exporting goods worth Rs 1.3 billion in August 2024.
Other notable trading partners including Madagascar, with exports valued at Rs 855 million, the United States at Rs 738 million, France at Rs 685 million, and the United Kingdom at Rs 679 million.
Source: l’Express