Economy

Petroleum production (which supplies 90% of government revenues and exports), forestry, and agriculture are the chief economic activities in the Congo. Domestic food production does not meet national demand, and food must be imported in large quantities. The major subsistence crops are cassava, which accounts for 90% of food output, and yams. Sugarcane, cocoa, and coffee, raised primarily on plantations, are important export crops, as are tobacco, palm products, and peanuts. Timber and plywood are the primary agriculturally derived exports. Diseases restrict cattle raising, and fishing is not well developed.

Industry is limited mainly to the processing of petroleum and agricultural and forest products; much of it is concentrated in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and in the Niari valley. Congo's ports were nationalized in 1977, but France still maintains extensive oil interests in the country. Although attempts have been made to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on petroleum and therefore influenced by fluctuating world oil prices. Mining is important, with oil, diamonds, and potash the principal mineral exports, but in 2004 diamond exports to most world markets were banned when the diamonds were not certified as legitimately mined. Lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, and natural gas are other important mineral resources. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are the major trading partners, followed by Taiwan and the United States. The Congo is a member of the Franc Zone.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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