Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s trade deficit reduced to US$96.8 million as the country marked the new year with decreases in both imports and exports, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) has said.

In an external trade statistics report for January this year, ZIMSTAT said total value of exported goods in January was US$652 million, representing a 5.8 percent decrease from US$692.4 million reported in December last year.

Imports for January amounted to US$748.8 million, a decrease of 15.8 percent from US$889.7 million recorded the previous month, placing the January trade deficit for goods at US$96.8 million, translating to a 51 percent decrease from a deficit of US$197.3 million recorded last December.

Industrial supplies comprised 93.1 percent of the goods exported in January while 37.1 percent of the goods imported comprised industrial supplies, followed by capital goods category which accounted for 18.9 percent.

“Among the top ten products exported in January 2025 were semi-manufactured gold (44.7%), tobacco (18.2%) and nickel mattes (9.3%). Mineral fuels (19.4%), Machinery & Mechanical Appliances (12.2%), Cereals (12.1%), and Vehicles (8.1%) were among the top ten products imported in the same month,” ZIMSTAT said.

“Among the country’s major export destinations inJanuary2025were the United Arab Emirates (45.0%), South Africa(21.5%) and China(15.3%). The three countries accounted for Around 82% of the total export value of US$652 million.”

Among the major source countries for imports in January this year were South Africa (38.2%), China (16.7%), Bahamas (10.8%) and Mozambique (4.3%), with the four countries accounting for around 70% of the total import value of US$748.8 million.

New Ziana