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Preamble

In 2024, Lesotho's economy remained heavily reliant on international trade, with imports totalling M33,970 million, primarily comprising food and beverages, fuel and clothes and footwear. Major import partners included South Africa, China, and India.

Exports were valued at around M18,170 million, dominated by clothing and footwear, diamonds and bulk water, with key markets being the United States of America, Belgium, and South Africa.

South Africa is the main player for both Exports and Imports for Lesotho.

Composition of Exports

Trade by major Commodities

Clothing and Footwear contributed the highest share of exports (35.3 percent) followed by Diamonds with 23.8 percent, Bulk water with 18.7% and Fabrics with 7.8%.

Clothing and Footwear contributed the highest share of exports (35.3 percent) mainly destined to the USA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Lesotho benefits from, followed by Diamonds (23.8 percent) which are exported to Belgium. Bulk water exports (18.7 Percent) to South Africa under Lesotho Highlights Development Authority (LHDA) Project meant to develop the two countries by supplying/providing access to water while also developing the rural communities in Lesotho.

Figure 1:Percentage Distribution of Exports by Major Commodities,2024

Statistics Chart

Destination of Exports

The exports value of major trading partners in 2024 constituted 99.3 percent of the total exports value (M18,170 million), with the highest share of percentage value of exports (58.0 percent) destined to South Africa mainly Bulk water and wool and mohair, followed by Belgium (Diamonds) and the USA(Apparel) with 23.8 percent and 14.7 percent respectively.

The values of exports by ten major trade partners for 2024
Partner Value(In Million Maloti) Percentage
South Africa 10,543 58.02
Belgium 4,330 2,383
USA 2,677 1,473
Germany 133 0.73
Swaziland/Eswatini 119 0.65
Canada 79 0.44
Botswana 51 0.28
UK 45 0.25
Egypt 39 0.22
Viet Nam 24 0.13
Total 18,040 99.28

Composition of Imports

Clothing and Footwear contributed the highest share of exports (35.3 percent) mainly destined to the USA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Lesotho benefits from, followed by Diamonds (23.8 percent) which are exported to Belgium. Bulk water exports (18.7 Percent) to South Africa under Lesotho Highlights Development Authority (LHDA) Project meant to develop the two countries by supplying/providing access to water while also developing the rural communities in Lesotho.

Trade by major Commodities

In 2024, out of the total value of imported commodities (M33,970 million), food and beverages contributed the highest percentage share of 22.3 percent, followed by Mineral fuels and oils (15.0 percent). Pharmaceutical products contributed the least imported in the top ten commodities with 1.8 percent.

In 2024, out of the total value of imported commodities (M33,970 million), food and beverages contributed the highest percentage share of 22.3 percent, followed by Mineral fuels and oils (15.0 percent). Pharmaceutical products contributed the least imported in the top ten commodities with 1.8 percent.

Figure 2:Percentage distribution of imports value by top ten commodities,2024

Statistics Chart

Main origin of Imports

The majority of Lesotho’s top trading partners were Asian countries, though they contributed less value compared to South Africa. Out of the total value (M33,970.40 million) of Lesotho’s imported commodities in 2024; 96.5 percent (M32,779.63 million) was contributed by ten major trade partners, with the highest share of the commodities value (78.6 percent) imported from South Africa followed by China (10.4 percent) as the second largest trade partner. The United States of America and African countries contributed less than 1.0 percent each.

Import value in Maloti for major trade partners, 2024

Partner Value(In Million Maloti) Percentage
South Africa 10,543 58.02
China 4,330 2,383
Taiwan 2,677 1,473
India 133 0.73
Japan 119 0.65
Zambia 79 0.44
Mozambique 51 0.28
USA 45 0.25
Botswana 39 0.22
Total 18,040 99.28

Trade by region: Southern Africa Custom Union (SACU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Lesotho traded more with SACU, with Imports amounting to M26,952 million and Exports to M10,714 million than other SADC countries (which are not part of SACU) which recorded Imports of M511 million and Exports of M22 million.

The values of exports by ten major trade partners for 2024

Partner Value(In Million Maloti) Percentage
South Africa 10,543 58.02
Belgium 4,330 2,383
USA 2,677 1,473
Germany 133 0.73
SACCU 119 0.65
Canada 79 0.44
Botswana 51 0.28
UK 45 0.25
Egypt 39 0.22
Viet Nam 24 0.13
Total 18,040 99.28
UK 45 0.25
Egypt 39 0.22
Viet Nam 24 0.13
Total 119 0.65
SADC 18,040 99.28