Tegucigalpa, February 15. Honduras’ foreign trade deficit increased by 13.4% in 2022 compared to the previous year due to the increase in imports, mainly of fuel, supplies, food and beverages, the Ministry reported on Wednesday. Central Bank (BCH).
Thus, Honduras’ trade deficit stood at 9,135.4 million dollars last year against 8,057.6 million in 2021, according to a report by the issuing bank.
Exports increased by 17.3% from January to December 2022, to 6,102.1 million dollars, while imports increased by 14.9%, to 15,237.5 million, he detailed.
The entity indicated that imports in 2022 increased due to the rebound in purchases of fuels, supplies, food and beverages, associated with the increase in international prices.
The increase in imports was partially offset by the 17.3% increase in exports, mainly bananas, coffee and crude palm oil.
North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) was Honduras’ main trading partner in 2022, since this market generated 2,279.9 million dollars, followed by Latin America with 1,925.8 million, pointed out the Central Bank.
They are followed in third place by Central America with 1,503.5 million and Europe with 1,485.5 million, according to official figures.
On the other hand, Honduras imported 6,218.3 million dollars from North America, which represents a trade deficit with these countries of 3,938.4 million dollars, higher by 468.6 million than in 2021 (3 469.8 million).
Trade between Honduras and the United States recorded an imbalance of $3,183.8 million in 2022, as the Central American country sold 32.9% of what was exported to the North American nation. (bananas, coffee, precious and pure metals, legumes, melon and watermelons), and bought 34.1% of its imports (fuels, corn and fertilizers).
Honduras’ main export product is coffee. The country sold 6.1 million quintals of coffee (46 kilo bags) in the 2021-2022 harvest and received $1,448 million, according to data from the Honduran Coffee Institute (Ihcafe). ECE
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