Exports were worth $ 207.95 million, imports worth $ 916.68 million while re-exports were worth $ 82.25 million.
In the first quarter of 2020 [January-March], exports from Rwanda increased by 45.97 percent compared to the same quarter of 2019, from $ 142.47 million to $ 207.95 million. However, it fell 13.84% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
NISR figures show that Rwanda's exports in the first quarter of 2020 increased by 23.78 percent compared to the same quarter of 2019, from $ 739.97 million to $ 916.68 million.
Rwanda's imports and exports fell 2.85 percent from $ 84.66 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $82.25 million.
The top six countries to which Rwanda exports are the United Arab Emirates, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Pakistan, Hong Kong and Uganda. All six countries account for 77.62 percent of Rwanda's exports.
Among the top countries that imported goods in the first quarter of 2020 are: China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Tanzania. In all of these countries, Rwanda imported goods worth $ 518.38 million, meaning it's 56.55% of all imports.
Exports include food, livestock, and more while imports include machinery and transportation, industrial and petroleum products.
Rwanda has been a member of the East African Community (EAC) for 13 years, which has boosted trade with other member states.
In the first quarter of 2020, Rwanda's exports to the EAC were worth $ 14.21 million, 7% of its exports.
In all, 38.52% was exported to Uganda, worth $ 5.47 million.
Rwanda's EAC exports increased by 176 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 but decreased by 48 percent compared to the first quarter of 2019.
In the EAC, Rwanda exports most of its products in Uganda, followed by South Sudan.
Imports from EAC is worth $ 138.66 million, meaning 15.13% of total import. Rwanda imported 56.72% from Kenya and 42.90% from Tanzania.
Overall, Rwanda's imports to the EAC in the first quarter of 2020 increased by 16.63 percent compared to the same quarter in 2019.
Rwanda's trade with COMESA in the first quarter of 2020 was $ 217.72 million from $ 217.72 million in the same quarter of 2019.
Trade with the European Union (EU) in the first quarter of 2020 was $ 87.26 million from $ 106.70 million in the same quarter of 2019.
Elina Jonas Ruzindaza
source https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-trade-volume-grew-by-29-in-the-first-quarter-of-2020
