Official trade statistics show the importance of mining to the Zimbabwean economy, with the country running at a deficit of around U$2 billion in 2022.
In that year the total value of exports was $6.6bn, and imports $8.6bn.
South Africa remains the biggest trading partner at 42% of exports and 43% of imports, but the share is dropping.
Second is the United Arab Emirates, with which Zimbabwe has the biggest positive trade balance.
In 2022 it exported precious metals valued at $2bn, followed by tobacco products at $50bn to the UAE.
Increased demand from the electric vehicle sector is reflected in the rise of nickel exports from $360 million in 2018 to over $1bn in 2022. Copper ore and concentrate exports continue to rise and reached $1 million in 2022.
- Read the rest here: "Trade figures show growth of mining sector."
