Total imports for first six months down by 41%

The total imports from January to June  2002 were valued at R973 million, representing a decrease of 41% on or R670 million less than last year's figure for the same period, according to the External Trade report in the Statistical Bulletin.

Comparing the figure for the first six months of this year to that of last year, the report reveals a 9% increase in the total value of domestic exports from R473 million to R517 million. A decrease of 37% was recorded in the value of re-exports from R197 million in 2001 to R123 million this year. As a result this year's trade experienced a deficit valued at R333 million or a 66% decrease in trade compared to the previous six months of last year.

The items that were imported during the first six months of this year included food and live animals, beverages and tobacco, mineral fuels, chemicals, manufactured goods, machinery and transport, among others.

Food and live animals accounted for 38% of imports with a value of R365 million, representing an increase of 32% over the 2001 figure. In this category of imports, cereal preparations accounted for 20%, and meat and meat preparations accounted for 71%. It must be noted that these imports also include the frozen tuna imported for processing by the tuna cannery.

The imports of manufactured goods increased by 27% compared to last year and accounted for 25% of total imports. Of the manufactured goods, 40% were metals, 18% non-metallic, 2% textile fabrics, 165 articles of apparel and clothing accessories, and 24% wood items. The imports of metals and wood were respectively 42% and 54% higher than last year, whereas the import of articles of apparel and clothing was 2% lower than for the same period of 2001.

The imports of machinery and transport went down by 81% and accounted for 17% of the total imports. The import of road vehicles accounted for R33 million, an increase of 23% above last year's figure.

The imports of chemicals, down by 13%, were valued at R72 million, out of which R28 million represented the imports of medical and pharmaceutical products.

Tobacco and beverages accounted for 1% of the total imports, but represented an increase of 28% compared to last year. The imports of tobacco increased by 30% and that of beverages by 28%.

The imports of mineral fuels for the first six months of this year were valued at R89 million, representing a decrease of 58% compared to last year.

73% of Seychelles imports are derived namely from France, Spain, South Africa, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

With regard to the domestic exports, tuna exports went up to R461 million from R405 million last year, representing a 14% increase. The exports of fresh and frozen fish decreased by 22%, from R6.5 million in 2001 to R5 million this year. A decrease was also recorded in the value of exports of crustaceans, from R9.4 million last year to R5.4 million this year. The value of exports of cinnamon bark, likewise, recorded a decrease of 18% compared to last year.       

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