Dar Es Salaam — TANZANIA'S export of goods went down by 2.0 per cent to USD 2,634 million, largely due to a decrease in manufactured exports during the year ending December 2009.

On annual basis, exports of gold and manufactured goods continued to account for large share of total exports of goods, accounting for 40.9 per cent and 18.9 per cent, respectively, during the period under review.

By the end of last year the value of traditional exports shipped was USD 60.4 million, being 30.9 per cent higher compared to USD 46.1 million recorded in the previous month, following an increase in shipment of cashew nuts, cotton and tea.

According to the Bank of Tanzania monthly Economic Review for January, the value of traditional exports in 2009 went up by 12.5 per cent to USD 470.8 million compared to the level recorded in 2008.

This development is largely due to an increase in the export volumes of coffee, cotton, cashew nuts and cloves which resulted from favourable weather condition, timely accessibility of agricultural inputs and extension services.

On the other hand, the improvement was also recorded in tobacco exports following an increase in export unit prices.

With the exception of tobacco and tea which recorded increases in the export unit prices, other traditional exports recorded declines in prices, noted the monthly review.

During the month under review, the value of non-traditional exports shipped was USD 178.2 million, being 4.7 per cent less than the amount shipped in the preceding month.

The decline occurred mostly in minerals, re- exports and other exports particularly edible vegetables and oil seeds.

On annual basis, non-traditional exports amounted to USD 2,163.2 million compared to USD 2,270.6 million recorded in 2008, largely due to a decline in manufactured goods, re-export and fish products.

The export value of manufactured goods was USD 497.6 million, being lower than USD 662.3 million recorded during 2008.

The decline is partly attributable to the drop in demand for the manufactured products in the neighbouring countries following the global financial crisis.

Likewise, the value of re-exports mainly wheat, tyres, vehicles and petroleum products went down to USD 78.9 million from USD 160.3 million recorded during the corresponding period last year.

During the year under review, the value of mineral exports amounted to USD 1,114.8 million, higher than USD 995.5 million recorded in 2008, owing to an increase in exports of gold and other minerals.

The value of gold exports was USD 1,076.1 million, compared to USD 932.4 million largely due to a rise in both gold prices in the world market and export volumes.

During the year to December 2009, prices of gold increased by 11.6 per cent to USD 972.7 per troy ounce.