. Kalumbi

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

ZAMBIA has posted an increase in Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) from K1,298.1million in October this year to K1,628.4 million recorded last month, representing a growth of 25.4 per cent.

The share of NTEs recorded an average of 27.9 per cent in revenue earnings between November and October 2014.

Central Statistical Office (CSO) director John Kalumbi said there had been a decrease in the total value of metal exports from K3, 879.9 million in October to K3, 665.6 million in November 2014.

The overall contribution of metals and their products to the total export earnings in November and October 2014 averaged 72.1 per cent.

Giving an overall performance of international trade, Mr Kalumbi said Zambia’s major NTEs for the month of November 2014 were precious or semi-precious stones, which accounted for 14.1 per cent followed by Tobacco.

Other notable NTEs in November 2014 were candles, tapers, accounting for 9.8 per cent.

“The major export destination in November 2014 was Switzerland, which accounted for 41.4 per cent.The products to this country include cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper accounting for 90.6 per cent,” Mr Kalumbi said.

China was the second major destination of Zambia’s export accounting for 18.2 per cent followed by South Africa accounting for 9.5 per cent.

Singapore was the fourth major export destination accounting for 7.5 per cent and the fifth country was the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

These five countries collectively accounted for 83.1 per cent of Zambia’s total export earnings in November 2014.

Mr Kalumbi said Asia was the largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 27.9 per cent in November 2014.

With Asia, China was the dominant market, accounting for 65.3 per cent.

“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was the second largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 23.2 per cent in November 2014.Within SADC, South Africa was the dominant market with 40.8 per cent. Other markets in SADC were DRC, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana,” Mr Kalumbi said.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was the third largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 13.3 per cent.

He said the European Union was the fourth largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 2.7 per cent.

In terms of imports, he said the major source of imports in November was South Africa, accounting for 32.0 per cent.

The major import products from South Africa were structures and parts of structures.