Maldives Trade Activity Rises in August With Growth in Imports, Exports, and Customs Revenue

MV+ News Desk | September 23, 2025
Photo: MPL

Maldives Customs Service has reported increases in imports, exports, and customs revenue for August, reflecting a period of steady economic activity.

Total imports, including fuel, amounted to MVR 4.9 billion, marking a 7% rise compared to the same month last year. Imports excluding fuel reached MVR 4 billion, up 4%, underscoring sustained demand for consumer goods and industrial materials. Key categories included food and beverages worth MVR 993 million, petroleum products at MVR 873 million, and machinery at MVR 722 million.

India accounted for the largest share of imports with 16% valued at MVR 765 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 15% at MVR 726 million, and China with 13% at MVR 651 million.

Exports grew sharply, rising 85% year-on-year to reach MVR 149 million. The increase was mainly driven by fisheries, with skipjack tuna contributing MVR 49 million and yellowfin tuna MVR 16 million. Thailand was the leading export destination, taking 41% of shipments valued at MVR 61 million, followed by Great Britain with 26% at MVR 39 million and Germany with 6% at MVR 9 million.

Customs revenue also saw an improvement, increasing by 20% to MVR 375 million. Port activity strengthened, with 100 vessels arriving and 120 departing, representing rises of 7% and 22% respectively compared to last year. A total of 22,236 declarations were processed, up 6% from the 21,610 recorded in August 2024.

The August figures indicate resilience in the Maldivian economy, with fisheries exports and customs revenue helping to offset the country’s reliance on imports. However, challenges remain, including heavy dependence on foreign goods, rising national debt, and the impact of a strengthening US dollar in the black market.

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