Maldives' exports witnessed a dramatic surge in July, recording a 222 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Maldives Customs Service figures showed.
According to customs figures, exports reached USD 13.6 million in July this year, a significant jump from the USD 4.2 million in July of the previous year.
This strong performance builds upon a solid first seven months of the year, where cumulative exports increased by 52 percent compared to the same period last year. The Maldives exported goods valued at USD 90.7 million in the first seven months of 2025, compared to USD 61.2 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Fish and fish products continue to be the backbone of the Maldivian export economy with frozen and chilled seafood, alongside various fish products, constituted the largest share of exports in the past seven months.
The key markets for these exports were Thailand worth around USD 52.5 million, and the United Kingdom with goods worth USD 16.4 million.
While exports have soared, Maldives continues to heavily rely on imports. In July alone, goods worth USD 291 million were imported, according to customs data.
The primary sources of these imports in July were:
China: USD 46.1 million
India: USD 45.6 million
UAE: USD 40.3 million
Oman: USD 33.2 million
Singapore: USD 28 million
Import and export revenue in July amounted to USD 19.1 million, down from USD 23.6 million in July last year.
The Maldives' export surge signifies a positive trend for the nation's economy, particularly within the crucial fisheries sector. However, the continued high level of imports underscores the ongoing challenge of achieving a more balanced trade environment and diversifying the economy beyond its core exports.