Haiti: Economy and Trade

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere by GDP per capita, with an economy historically dependent on agriculture, particularly coffee, mangoes, and other crops, alongside a significant manufacturing sector centered on textile and apparel assembly for export. Remittances sent home by the large Haitian diaspora represent one of the largest sources of national income, often exceeding the value of exports and playing a critical role in supporting households across the country.

The United States is Haiti's dominant trading partner, receiving the majority of Haitian apparel exports under preferential trade programs designed to support the country's textile industry, while also supplying much of Haiti's food and manufactured imports. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is another key trading partner, and Haiti continues to work toward economic diversification and infrastructure development amid significant structural and security challenges.