Congo, Dem. Rep.: Food exports (% of merchandise exports), 2024

The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to rely almost entirely on mineral exports for its merchandise trade. Food products form only a tiny fraction of total exports.

According to the most recent World Bank figures, food exports represented 1% of merchandise exports in 2023. No official figure for 2024 has been published yet. The indicator measures the share of food items, including live animals, beverages and related products, within overall goods exports.

Mineral Dominance in Export Structure

The DRC’s export profile is shaped by its vast mineral wealth. Copper and cobalt dominate outbound shipments. Refined copper alone accounts for the bulk of export earnings in recent years. Cobalt, copper ore and related products make up the overwhelming majority of foreign sales.

This structure leaves little room for agricultural or food exports to register a meaningful share. Even in years with stronger agricultural output, food remains a minor contributor to total merchandise exports.

The 1% share recorded in 2023 is consistent with longer-term patterns. The country has not developed large-scale commercial food export industries capable of competing with its mining sector on the international market.

Implications for Trade and Development

A low share of food in merchandise exports has several consequences. First, it limits the diversification of foreign exchange earnings. Mineral prices are volatile, and heavy dependence on a narrow range of commodities exposes the economy to external shocks.

Second, the small food export base means the country does not generate significant foreign earnings from agriculture despite its large rural population and extensive arable land. Most agricultural production remains oriented toward domestic consumption or informal cross-border trade that is not fully captured in formal merchandise statistics.

Third, the structure reinforces the need for policies that support value addition in both mining and agriculture. Without broader export diversification, the economy remains vulnerable to swings in global commodity markets.

Data Context and Limitations

The World Bank series draws on United Nations Comtrade data and staff estimates. The most recent published value for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is for 2023. Figures for 2024 are not yet available in the public dataset.

Comparisons with neighbouring countries show a similar pattern in other mineral-dependent economies. Countries with large oil or metal exports often record food shares well below 5%. In contrast, agricultural exporters in West and East Africa routinely post food export shares above 20% or higher.

The DRC’s position at 1% places it among the lowest in the region for this particular indicator.

Outlook

Until official 2024 data are released, the 2023 figure of 1% remains the best available measure. Any meaningful rise in the food export share would require sustained investment in commercial agriculture, processing capacity and logistics. In the absence of such shifts, minerals are expected to continue accounting for the vast majority of the country’s merchandise exports.

Policymakers and analysts monitoring trade diversification will watch future releases of this indicator closely. A sustained increase above the current low single-digit level would signal progress toward a more balanced export structure.