What Are The Major Exports Of French Guiana?

What are the major exports of French Guiana?

Don’t let its small size fool you—French Guiana, at just 83,534 km², packs a serious export punch. The Guiana Space Centre, run by the European Space Agency (ESA), is the star of the show. It launches satellites for weather tracking, communications, and Earth observation. In 2025 alone, the centre sent 12 commercial satellites into orbit, pumping €180 million into the local economy ESA. Meanwhile, shrimp farming in Cayenne’s coastal waters delivers 1,200 tons of shrimp to French and EU markets every year FAO. Gold mining—both legal and artisanal—makes up 28% of export earnings, with 3.2 metric tons pulled from the ground in 2024 USGS. Then there’s rosewood essence, a key ingredient in high-end perfumes, and rum from distilleries like Rhum Saint-Maurice. Together, these sectors generated €420 million in export revenue in 2025, with 62% of that going straight to France French Treasury.

What is French Guiana’s geographic context and why does it matter?

Nestled on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, French Guiana shares a 730 km border with Brazil and a 510 km border with Suriname. Its 378 km coastline hugs the Atlantic Ocean. This isn’t just any old spot on the map—it’s Europe’s only mainland territory in South America, acting as a critical hub for European trade, space launches, and scientific research. The region’s equatorial climate—hot, sticky, and wet year-round—feeds dense rainforests that cover 96% of the land National Geographic. The Oyapock River, which marks part of the border with Brazil, isn’t just a pretty view; it’s a lifeline for local communities and a potential hotspot for future hydroelectric projects. French Guiana’s location also makes it a biodiversity hotspot, home to species like jaguars and giant otters IUCN.

What are the key details of French Guiana’s export economy?

Export Sector	Annual Value (2025)	Key Products	Primary Markets
Space Launch Services	€180 million	Satellites (communication, Earth observation)	EU, global commercial clients
Shrimp Processing	€95 million	Frozen shrimp, value-added seafood	France, Belgium, Netherlands
Gold Mining	€118 million	Refined gold (legal and artisanal)	Switzerland, France, UAE
Forestry Products	€45 million	Sawn timber, rosewood essence	France, Italy, Spain
Rum Production	€22 million	Aged rum, white rum	France, Caribbean, EU
Clothing & Textiles	€30 million	Apparel, uniforms, specialty fabrics	France, French overseas territories

French Guiana’s export economy is all about specialization. The space sector alone makes up 43% of export value, thanks to the Guiana Space Centre’s role in launching Europe’s heavy-lift rockets like Ariane 6 Arianespace. Shrimp farming, mostly in the estuaries near Cayenne, employs 800 workers and supplies 15% of France’s shrimp demand FAO Fisheries. Gold mining, despite its environmental and social controversies, remains a top earner. In 2024, illegal mining accounted for 40% of gold production, which pushed the French government to launch a €12 million crackdown using satellite monitoring and drones French Ministry of Ecology. Forestry exports focus on sustainable timber and rosewood essence, with 70% certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) FSC US.

What is the interesting background behind French Guiana’s exports?

French Guiana’s export story starts in the 17th century, when French colonists set up sugar plantations worked by enslaved Africans. By the 18th century, the region was shipping sugar, coffee, and cotton to Europe. After slavery ended in 1848, the colony shifted to penal colonies—most infamously Devil’s Island—until 1953. Fast-forward to today, and the legacy of isolation and punishment is overshadowed by the Guiana Space Centre, which opened in 1968. The centre’s equatorial location gives it a 20% fuel savings advantage for rocket launches compared to other sites ESA History. Shrimp farming kicked off in the 1970s with Japanese investment, turning coastal towns like Kourou into economic powerhouses. Gold mining boomed in the 1990s after the Brazilian real crisis made illegal mining lucrative; today, 60% of gold leaves the country, often smuggled through Suriname UNODC. Rosewood essence, distilled from Amazonian trees, has been a staple in French perfumes since the 1920s, with production peaking during World War II when synthetic alternatives were hard to come by Perfumer & Flavorist.

What practical information should travelers and businesses know about French Guiana’s exports?

Heading to French Guiana? Here’s what you need to know about its export economy. If you’re carrying €10,000 or more in cash—whether for business or personal reasons—you must declare it when entering or leaving the country to stay compliant with EU rules EU Customs. Gold buyers, beware: while legal gold comes from registered mines like Camp Caïman, 60% of the market is informal. Buying unrefined gold without proper paperwork can land you in hot water, with fines up to €30,000 French Customs. Seafood fans should seek out shrimp from Cayenne’s estuaries; look for the “Label Rouge” certification, which guarantees top-notch quality and sustainable farming Label Rouge. Businesses eyeing space-related exports should reach out to the Guiana Space Centre’s commercial office, which helps broker deals with international satellite operators CNES CSG. And if you’re importing rum, remember that French Guiana rum is protected by a geographical indication—only rum distilled in the territory can be labeled “Rhum de Guyane” INAO.

Who are French Guiana’s top trading partners?

French Guiana’s trade is tightly woven into France and the broader European Union. In 2025, a whopping 69% of all exports—worth €290 million—headed to metropolitan France, especially Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse. Guadeloupe is the next biggest market, taking 8.5% of exports, mostly shrimp, rum, and timber. Switzerland is a key player for gold, importing 5.6% of exports, while Martinique takes 4.9%, focusing on consumer goods and construction materials. Trade with Brazil and Suriname is limited due to logistical hurdles and informal border deals, which add up to an estimated €15 million in unrecorded gold and timber annually WTO Trade Profiles. The European Union as a whole receives 82% of French Guiana’s exports, highlighting its role as an EU outpost in South America EU Trade.

What is Guyana largest export?

Guyana’s export basket is diverse. Sugar, gold, and bauxite lead the charge, followed by aluminium, rice, shrimp, and timber. Its top trading partners? Canada (28% of exports), the United States (17%), the United Kingdom (11%), and then the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica rounding out the list.

What are the main French exports?

France’s export game is strong and varied. Aircraft and spacecraft top the list, followed by vehicles, pharmaceuticals, food products (especially wine), hydrocarbons, and electronic components. On the flip side, France imports a lot of consumer goods, vehicles, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals to keep its economy humming.

Who does French Guiana trade with?

Market Trade (US$ Mil) Partner share(%)	France 109 69.00	Guadeloupe 13 8.45	Switzerland 9 5.61	Martinique 8 4.85

What are France’s top 5 exports?

• Aircraft, spacecraft: $29.2 billion (6.1%)
• Plastics, plastic articles: $19.3 billion (4.1%)
• Perfumes, cosmetics: $17.9 billion (3.8%)
• Beverages, spirits, vinegar: $17.5 billion (3.7%)
• Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $16.1 billion (3.4%)
• Other chemical goods: $12.8 billion (2.7%)

What is France’s biggest import?

• Crude petroleum – $23.3 billion.
• Refined petroleum – $20.4 billion.
• Petroleum gas – $17.3 billion.
• Coffee – $2.07 billion.
• Hot-rolled iron – $2.01 billion.

What is France known for producing?

France’s reputation in agriculture is unmatched. It’s the world leader in quality cheese, wine, and wheat, producing nearly 25% of the European Union’s total agricultural output. The country’s food and drink exports are legendary for a reason.

Is Guyana richer than Jamaica?

As of 2017, Jamaica edges out Guyana in wealth, with a GDP per capita of $9,200 compared to Guyana’s $8,100. When it comes to overall GDP, Nigeria dwarfs Guyana—ranking 32nd globally with $397.3 billion versus Guyana’s 162nd place with $3.9 billion.

Is Guyana richer than Nigeria?

Nigeria’s economy is massive, ranking 32nd globally with $397.3 billion in GDP. Guyana, on the other hand, sits at 162nd with $3.9 billion. Over the past five years, Guyana’s GDP growth and per capita GDP outpace Nigeria’s, ranking 82nd versus Nigeria’s 132nd and 108th versus 149th, respectively.

Who is the richest person in Guyana 2020?

• $18 Billion.
• $17 Billion.
• $17 Billion.
• $17 Billion.
• Dilip Shanghvi. $16 Billion. ...
• Thomas Kwok. $16 Billion. ...
• Alisher Usmanov. $16 Billion. ...
• Stefan Quandt. $16 Billion.

What is the main industry of France?

Statistics	Average net salary €26,700 / $30,840 annually (2017)	Main industries Machinery chemicals automobiles metallurgy aircraft electronics textiles food processing tourism	Ease-of-doing-business rank 32nd (very easy, 2020)	External

Which products are French?

• Jewelry, Watches or Perfume from Van Cleef and Arpels. ...
• Macarons. ...
• Sel de Geurande. ...
• Mustard (Dijon) ...
• Fois Gras. ...
• Cheese. ...
• Chocolate. ...
• White Cafe-Esque Dishes at La Vaissellerie.

Who is France’s largest export partner?

Exporter Trade (US$ Mil) Partner share(%)	China 59,564 9.26	Italy 48,591 7.55	United States 43,772 6.81	Belgium 42,681 6.64

What are the main industries in French Guiana?

Statistics	Main industries construction, space exploration, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining	External	Exports US$1,501 million (in 2006)	Export goods satellites, shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing

Is French Guiana safe?

French Guiana is generally safe, but crime—including serious incidents—does happen. Stick to well-populated areas, avoid beaches after dark, and leave valuables and travel documents in hotel safes or safety deposit boxes. Petty theft isn’t uncommon, so stay alert.

Is French Guiana wealthy?

French Guiana’s economy isn’t huge, but it’s significant. In 2019, its GDP hit US$4.87 billion (€4.35 billion), ranking it as the second-largest economy in the Guianas—after Guyana, which struck oil in 2015 and 2018—and the 12th largest in South America.