The knock-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Mauritius – Africa preferential exports

Abstract

This paper probes into the dynamics of utilising various Mauritius–Africa trade agreements amidst the challenging economic context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Leveraging six years’ of export data, the findings reveal an unexpected trend in the utilisation of African trade agreements, with preference utilisation rates reaching a peak in 2020. Despite the effects of the pandemic, exporters demonstrated a tendency to use trade preferences for specific products, including live animals and animal products, refined cane sugar, preparations for animal feeding, knitted textile accessories, and aluminium bars. Preference margins and the value of exports encourage exporters to use trade preferences. However, an increase in trade-related costs has counterintuitive effects on the preference utilisation within the COMESA and SADC regions. To optimise the utilisation of these agreements, Mauritius needs to foster and strengthen a sustainable and resilient supply chain with higher connectivity across member states.