Non-traditional exports, services receipts drive up exports earnings

The export of goods and services amounted to 11,098.6 million US dollars during the year ending June this year from 8,848.4 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year driven by non-traditional exports and services receipts.

In the picture, the exports of goods increased by 11.7 per cent to 7,202.7 million US dollars with non-traditional exports rising by 27.6 per cent.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) monthly for July this year shows that the rise was largely in the exports of manufactured goods particularly iron and steel, textiles, horticultural products, fish and fish products as well as cereals in particular maize and rice.

Advertisement

Gold exports which accounted for 37.4 per cent of goods exports were 2,695.7 million US dollars down from 3,028.8 million US dollars.

Exports of traditional goods amounted to 737.8 million US dollars compared to 578.4 million US dollars. Exports of all traditional crops increased save for cashew nuts. The increase was on account of price rises in the global markets.

On a monthly basis, traditional exports doubled to 30.9 million US dollars from 14.1 million US dollars in June last year while non-traditional exports were USD 607.1million in June this year compared to 522.4 million US dollars in June last year.

Services receipts amounted to 3,895.9 million US dollars in the year ending June this year compared with 2,402 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year driven by both travel mainly tourism and transport receipts.

Travel receipts increased to 1,707.9 million US dollars from 871.6 million US dollars consistent with the rise in tourist arrivals by 76 per cent to 1,123,607.

The rise in travel receipts signals recovery in the tourism sector, though it is threatened by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On a monthly basis, services receipts were 337.3 million US dollars up from 213.7 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year.

According to the central bank report, the external sector of the economy continued to endure shocks emanating from high commodity prices, tight financial conditions, and resurgence of Covid-19 in China.

These global challenges have been aggravated by Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has caused supply disruptions.

During the year ending June this year, the current account had a deficit of 3,766.9 million US dollars compared to 1,789.5 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year driven by higher imports bill particularly of goods.

However, the overall balance of payments was a surplus of 75.6 million US dollars up from a deficit of 132.7 million US dollars on account of loan receipts and grants.

Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *