Haiti: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Trade represents 22% of Haiti's GDP, a share that has halved since 2019 (World Bank, latest data available). The high cost of port transportation, corruption, and lack of investments are major obstacles to the development of foreign trade. A small, undeveloped financial sector does not adequately support the private sector. Most financial transactions are handled informally, and credit for new business ventures remains severely constrained. Political turmoil further debilitates Haiti's trade potential. In 2023, Haiti mainly exported knit t-shirts (40.7%), knit sweaters (14.8%), non-knit men's suits (6.7%), knit women's suits (5.7%), non-knit men's shirts (4.5%); whereas imports were led by refined petroleum (14.6%), rice (9.1%), palm oil (3.6%), raw sugar (3.5%), knit t-shirts (3.2% - OEC, latest data available).

The United States is by far Haiti’s main export partner (81.9% of total exports and 30.9% of imports in 2023). Other major export destinations are Canada (3.5%), Mexico (1.7%), and France (1.7%); while the Dominican Republic also has a significant share of imports (23%), the same as for China (14.1% - data from OEC). Haiti is a member of several international and regional trade organisations, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as an observer. Through its participation in CARICOM, Haiti benefits from regional trade integration and preferential access to member markets. It also enjoys preferential trade arrangements under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) with the United States and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, which provide duty-free access for many Haitian goods.

Haiti imports much more than it exports, resulting in a significant structural trade deficit. Data by WTO show that, in 2023, the country exported USD 896 million worth of goods vis-à-vis USD 3.99 billion in imports (-30.1% and -13.5% y-o-y, respectively). In the same year, the country exported USD 139 million worth of services and imported USD 588 million (data UNCTAD). According to the World Bank, the country’s overall trade balance was negative by 20.2% of GDP in 2023 (from 22.1% one year earlier). Although no official figures are available for 2024, the World Bank estimated the trade balance at 15.4% of GDP for the year. The current account deficit narrowed from 3.3% of GDP in 2023 to 0.5% in 2024, as a sharp 21.2% decline in exports was offset by reduced imports and increased remittance inflows. As per to the World Bank, changes in trade policy may further weaken textile exports, adding to existing security and business challenges. However, exports are expected to pick up in 2026, assuming clearer prospects for the extension of a preferential trade agreement with the United States.

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export controls

To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows

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Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data

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Latest Update: February 2026