Bolivian trade and economic indicators

Bolivia’s economic data shows contrasting trade trends across different sectors and partners. As of May 2026, the country reported a total trade surplus of $1.377 billion, a significant reversal from a $401 million deficit in 2025. This surplus is primarily driven by the mining and hydrocarbon sectors, with major exports including silver, zinc, gold, and natural gas. Additionally, the agro-industrial sector and tourism have contributed to the national economy.

In contrast to the overall national surplus, Bolivia maintains a persistent trade deficit with Uruguay. In the first half of 2026, the deficit with Uruguay reached $24 million. This follows a trend where Bolivian exports, largely consisting of agro-industrial and forestry products, have been significantly outweighed by imports from Uruguay.

By the end of the first half of 2026, the Central Bank of Bolivia reported a record trade surplus of $2.56 billion, the highest for a January-June period in 11 years. This was driven by $6.921 billion in exports against $4.360 billion in imports, fueled by favorable international prices for commodities like gold and silver.

Concurrently, Fitch Ratings noted Bolivia’s transition toward a more flexible exchange rate regime and the unification of currency markets. While Fitch views this as a positive step toward correcting exchange distortions and facilitating IMF agreements, the agency warned that unification does not inherently solve structural foreign currency shortages or guarantee the reconstruction of international reserves. Fitch maintains Bolivia’s credit rating in an “extremely high-risk category,” stating that economic credibility depends on consistent fiscal and monetary policies to achieve sustainable reserve accumulation.