Mauritius Trade Gap Hits Rs 190 Billion as Imports Dwarf Exports

Mauritius’s trade deficit has reached a staggering Rs 190 billion for the first eleven months of the year, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Mauritius.

The report, published this Monday, 19 January, reveals a significant imbalance in the nation’s commercial health, with the value of imported goods reaching Rs 289 billion against total exports of just Rs 99 billion.

Monthly Deficit Trends

In November 2025 alone, the trade deficit stood at Rs 18.9 billion. While this represents a 15% decrease compared to the previous month, the underlying trend remains concerning. When compared to the same period in 2024, the monthly deficit has actually risen by 2.8%.

Global Trade Partners

The data highlights Mauritius’s continued reliance on a specific group of international partners for its economic flow.

Where Mauritius Sells:

The nation’s primary export markets remain:

• South Africa
• The United Kingdom
• France
• Madagascar
• The United States

Where Mauritius Buys:

Supply chains for the island are dominated by:

• China
• India
• France
• South Africa
• Oman

The figures underscore a persistent challenge for the Mauritian economy as it seeks to bridge the wide gap between its global purchases and its domestic output sold abroad.

Mauritius Trade Performance: 2024 vs 2025

All figures in MUR Billions

Key Takeaways

• Imports: Increased by 0.8% overall compared to the previous year.
• Exports: Decreased by 2.4% overall compared to the previous year.
• Highest Import Month: October 2025 reached a peak of MUR 31.14 billion.
• Highest Export Month: May 2024 recorded the highest exports at MUR 10.35 billion.

Source: Defi Media