Bolivia records $1.919 billion trade surplus from January to July

Bolivia’s trade balance swung sharply into surplus in the first seven months of 2026. The country recorded a positive balance of $1.919 billion, compared with a $469 million deficit during the same period in 2025.

The figures, compiled by the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade from data supplied by the National Statistics Institute, show exports of $7.948 billion between January and July. Imports totaled $6.029 billion. Export values increased 59% from the $5.012 billion recorded a year earlier, while imports rose 10% from $5.481 billion.

China accounted for 22% of Bolivia’s export destinations, followed by India with 10% and Japan with 9%. Bolivia recorded a $210 million surplus with China, which mainly bought minerals. Its largest surplus came with India, at $691 million.

The country’s biggest trade deficits were with Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Bolivia exported $182 million to Argentina and imported $615 million, producing a $433 million deficit. The deficit with Chile reached $379 million, with $68 million in exports and $447 million in imports. Trade with Brazil also ran negative, with exports of $635 million and imports of $878 million.

The figures come as Bolivia’s traditional gas trade has weakened. Natural-gas production has declined, and exports to Argentina stopped in September 2024. In 2025, Bolivia recorded a total trade deficit of $328 million, with exports of $9.701 billion and imports of $10.029 billion.