Page "Economy of Somalia" Paragraph 5

Agriculture is the most important economic sector.

It accounts for about 65 % of the GDP and employs 65 % of the workforce.

Livestock contributes about 40 % to GDP and more than 50 % of export earnings.

Other principal exports include fish, charcoal and bananas ; sugar, sorghum and corn are products for the domestic market.

According to the Central Bank of Somalia, imports of goods total about $ 460 million per year, and have recovered and even surpassed aggregate imports prior to the start of the civil war in 1991.

Exports, which total about $ 270 million annually, have also surpassed pre-war aggregate export levels but still lead to a trade account deficit of about $ 190 million US dollars per year.

However, this trade deficit is far exceeded by remittances sent by Somalis in the diaspora, which have helped sustain the import level.