Key facts
- Ivory Coast's trade surplus grew 27.6% year-on-year from January to April.
- Exports increased by 11.0% year-on-year, with cocoa and gold showing significant gains.
- Cocoa exports rose 16.6% to XOF 2.6bn, while gold exports increased 43.9%.
- Imports grew 1.4% year-on-year, primarily due to lower oil and petroleum product imports.
- The 12-month trade surplus represents 10.2% of Ivory Coast's GDP.
- Switzerland and the Netherlands are the main export markets, accounting for nearly 30% of total exports.
Ivory Coast recorded a significant increase in its trade surplus during the first four months of the year, with a year-on-year expansion of 27.6%. This positive development was primarily fueled by an 11.0% rise in exports. Detailed data shows that cocoa exports, encompassing both beans and products, grew by 16.6% to XOF 2.6 billion, while gold exports surged by 43.9% year-on-year, driven by higher production and prices. Imports saw a more modest increase of 1.4% year-on-year, with a notable drop in oil and petroleum product imports. The cumulative 12-month trade surplus now accounts for approximately 10.2% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), indicating a strengthening external position. The primary export markets for Ivory Coast are Switzerland and the Netherlands, which together represent almost 30% of the country's total exports.