Tanzania Economic Review October 2023: Export of Traditional Goods Almost Doubled Driven by Coffee and Tobacco

Tanzania Goods Exports October 2023

The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) released its Monthly Economic Review-November 2023 which covers key macroeconomic indicators for the year ending October 2023.

External Sector Performance

The deficit in the current account balance remained large, but narrowed to USD 3,265.5 million in the year ending October 2023, compared with USD 4,990.1 million in the preceding year.

The outturn was on account of increased seasonal earnings from tourism activities and traditional exports.

Tanzania Investment Guide 2026 Free Edition

Foreign Exchange Reserves

On foreign exchange reserves, the stock was USD 4,615 million compared with USD 4,637.2 million at the end of October 2022.

Despite the decrease, reserves were adequate to cover about 4.0 months of projected imports of goods and services.

Exports

The export of goods and services improved, rising by 15.5% to USD 13,544.3 million in the year ending October 2023 from the level recorded in the preceding year.

The performance was largely contributed by non-traditional exports mainly manufactured goods, minerals-mainly gold, and horticultural products.

Non-traditional Goods and Mineral Exports

Export of non-traditional goods grew by 5.5% with the value of gold exports rising to USD 2,987.7 million up from USD 2,813.9 million in the year ending October 2023, on account of both volume and price effects.

TanzaniaInvest Capital Markets Report Banner

On a monthly basis, non-traditional exports fell to USD 532.2 million from USD 552 million.

Traditional Exports

Export of traditional goods edged up to USD 910.3 million from USD 742.7 million (+22.5%), largely driven by exports of coffee and tobacco.

On a monthly basis, export of traditional goods almost doubled to USD 120.9 million higher than USD 64.5 million recorded in a similar month in 2022.

Service and Tourism Receipts

Service receipts increased to USD 5,838.8 million in the year ending October 2023 from USD 4,555.1 million in the corresponding period in 2022, driven by travel (tourism) and transportation receipts.

The surge in travel receipts reflects the tourism sector rebound, as tourist arrivals rose to 1,750,557, a record high, from 1,381,881 in the year to October 2022.

On a monthly basis, service receipts were USD 550 million compared with USD 460.4 million in October 2022.

Want to know more about Tourism in Tanzania? Our free overview of the Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Tourism, plus key sectors and investment opportunities. The complete 141-page edition includes policies, taxation, key regulations, full macroeconomic data, and sources, and is also available at no cost upon completion of a short form.

Download Free OverviewGet the Full Edition for Free
Related Posts
Tanzania-Malawi Trade Investment Forum 2026 September TanTrade
Read More

Tanzania and Malawi Target Value Addition and Regional Supply Chains to Expand Bilateral Trade, Starting With Soy

Tanzania and Malawi are targeting value addition and regional supply chains to expand bilateral trade, with each country's investment authority opening projects to the other's investors at the 3rd Malawi-Tanzania Investment and Trade Forum in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania exports USD 89.46 million to Malawi against USD 15.169 million in imports, with USD 6 million of immediate export openings identified, 31% of bilateral export potential untapped, and Malawian soy processed by Tanzanian industry cited as the model value chain.
TANZANIA ECONOMIC EXPORTS UPDATE YE JULY 2026
Read More

Tanzania Exports Grow 16.5% to USD 20 Billion in Year Ending July 2026, Led by Gold (+47%) and Manufactured exports (+46%), Supported by Iron and Steel, Glassware, and Textiles

Tanzania's exports of goods and services grew 16.5% to USD 19,985.8 million in the year ending July 2026, led by gold exports of USD 5,670.7 million and manufactured goods, supported by iron and steel products, glassware, and textiles. Traditional exports rose 14.9%, while Travel receipts rose 1.6% to USD 4,292.8 million.
Tanzania Zanzibar Win World Travel Awards 2026
Read More

Tanzania Wins Africa’s Leading Destination 2026, Serengeti Named Top National Park, Zanzibar Best Beach

Tanzania was named Africa's Leading Destination 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony on 28 August 2026, with Serengeti National Park winning Africa's Leading National Park and Zanzibar named Africa's Leading Beach Destination, while the Tanzania Tourist Board retained Africa's Leading Tourist Board for a fifth consecutive year. The wins follow a 2025 in which Tanzania's tourism sector recorded 2,294,495 international arrivals, up 7.1%, and earned USD 4,410.6 million, up 13%.