Editor’s Note
Gold jewelry exports surged 97.3% between May and June, according to the latest INE foreign trade report, while overall exports edged up 0.03% and imports dropped 8.5%. Beef exports also showed a rebound.
According to the INE report, Bolivia’s exports between May and June grew by 0.03%, while imports fell by 8.5% in one month. Beef exports also rebounded.
Bolivian gold jewelry is sold abroad. (Reference photo: Internet)
Source: La Razón
By: Erika Ibáñez / La Paz
Gold jewelry exports grew by 97.3% between May and June of this year, according to the Foreign Trade (Comex) report from the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
According to the INE report, in June, national exports reached $782.4 million, with a positive variation of 0.03% compared to the previous month.
Compared to May 2025, the main manufactured products exported in June include gold jewelry, with an increase of 97.3%, and bovine meat, with 786.9%.
In the case of jewelry, exports in May of this year reached $21.5 million, while in June the value rose to $42.4 million, an increase of 97.3%.
Between January and June of this year, gold jewelry exports totaled $125.3 million, 43.4% more than in the same period of 2024, when jewelry sales were $86.1 million.
According to Comex, there was also a rebound in bovine meat exports with a 787% increase between May and June of this year, after the government reauthorized the sale of protein abroad.
On June 3, after four months, the government lifted restrictions on beef exports after agreeing to supply the domestic market at fair prices.
As a result of that ban, beef sales fell in the first months of the year, and in May only $2 million worth was sold; while in June, exports increased to $17.4 million.
Between January and June 2025, sales totaled $59.5 million, 31% less than in the same period of 2024, when exports totaled $86.1%.
According to the June Comex report, the increase in hydrocarbon and mineral extraction activities by 8.3% and 8.0% respectively also stood out, in addition to agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing increasing by 21.9%.
Mineral extraction activity also showed positive performance, driven by external sales of zinc (up 6.1%), silver (up 19.9%), and lead (up 25.2%).
Similarly, in hydrocarbon extraction, natural gas exports increased by 8.3%.
Gas sales to Brazil and Argentina grew between May and June of this year from $89.6 million to $97 million; however, compared to 2024, the figures continue to decline.
Between January and June 2025, national exports reached $4.116 billion, representing a 5.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
Regarding imports, the INE reported that in June they reached $711.9 million, representing a decrease of $66.2 million compared to the previous month’s $778.0 million. This behavior represents a negative variation of 8.5%.
Between January and June 2025, imports registered a decrease of 4.4%. In this period, the category of transport equipment, parts, and accessories fell by 22.6%, followed by capital goods with a reduction of 13.0%.
Fuels and lubricants also showed a decrease of 2.0%, as did consumer goods with a 2.9% decline.
These reductions are mainly attributed to increased logistics costs, such as international transport, transaction costs, and inflation levels in the economies of supplier countries.
By Luz Mendoza
