The Bahamas’ merchandise imports climbed 6.4 percent during the first quarter of 2026, reaching approximately $1.3 billion as imports of machinery, transportation equipment and food increased, according to new figures released by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI).
The BNSI’s First Quarter 2026 Foreign Trade Statistics report showed that imports between January and March rose from the same period last year, underscoring continued domestic demand despite a slight decline in exports.
Machinery and transport equipment remained the country’s largest import category during the quarter, accounting for $319 million, or 25 percent of all imports. This import category is a good indicator of a robust foreign investment market, as foreign investors often import equipment for the development of projects. That equipment is then re-exported. The BNSI report shows that the re-export of machinery and transport equipment was valued at $64,965,175 in the first quarter of 2026.
The report also explains that food and live animals ranked second in imports, totaling $223 million, representing 18 percent of the country’s import bill.
Other major import categories included miscellaneous manufactured articles, mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials; and Chemicals. Combined, those categories accounted for approximately $399 million, or 31 percent of total imports.
While imports strengthened, exports moved in the opposite direction. Total exports, including both domestic exports and re-exports, were valued at $187 million during the first three months of the year, representing a two percent decline compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Machinery and transport equipment led the country’s exports, totaling $65 million and accounting for 35 percent of total exports.
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials followed at $43 million, representing 23 percent of exports; while manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials contributed $31 million, or 17 percent of total exports.
The BNSI defines imports as goods brought into The Bahamas for local consumption or further processing, while total exports comprise both goods produced locally and exported overseas as well as goods re-exported in the same condition in which they were imported.
The latest figures suggest The Bahamas has continued to rely heavily on imported machinery, equipment and consumer goods during the opening months of 2026, while export earnings softened modestly over the same period.
