Mozambique’s import bill grew by 26.37% between 2017 and 2018, to reach over US$10.4 billion. By value, only one of the top five imports are for local consumption. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Mozambique’s top import is refined petroleum. A relatively large percentage of this is exported to neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia. This is followed by raw aluminium and aluminium oxide to feed the Mozal Aluminium smelter, and then by chrome ore and copper ore, both of which are in transit. Mozambique is, however, dependent on imports for the majority of its consumer goods and capital equipment. According to the World Integrated Trade Solution, in 2017 (the latest available figures) Mozambique imported around US$2.3 billion worth of consumer goods and exported US$488 million worth.
