Mauritius Trade Market 2026: Strategic Review & Growth Forecast

Mauritius exports showed steady growth from 2020, peaking in 2022 at $1.88 billion. Since then, values have slightly declined to $1.72 billion in 2024. Despite this recent contraction, the overall export value remains significantly higher than the 2020 baseline of $1.54 billion, indicating a resilient though currently cooling export sector.

Import values have experienced a strong upward trend, climbing from $4.22 billion in 2020 to a record $6.65 billion in 2024. Although there was a brief dip in 2023, the 2024 recovery suggests robust domestic demand for foreign commodities, significantly outpacing export growth during the same five-year period.

The 2024 export portfolio is led by Canned Tuna, valued at $247 million. Sugar products are also vital, with White/Refined Sugar and Cane Sugar collectively contributing over $220 million. Other key exports include live primates ($101.9M) and cotton apparel, reflecting a specialized mix of processed seafood, agricultural commodities, and niche livestock.

Imports in 2024 are heavily dominated by Petroleum Ether, which accounts for $1.26 billion. High-value consumer and industrial goods follow, including hybrid vehicles ($258.7M), medicaments ($165.4M), and smartphones. This data highlights a significant national expenditure on energy and advanced technology to support local infrastructure and consumption.

China is the leading trade partner with a 28.7% share, primarily driven by high import volumes. The United Arab Emirates and India follow closely, representing 20.15% and 19.05% of total trade respectively. While Asian partners dominate the import side, France and South Africa remain crucial markets for Mauritian exports.