Algeria's main exports are natural gas, petroleum, iron ore, vegetables, tobacco, phosphates, fruit, cork and leather hides. Principal imports are machinery, textiles, sugar, cereals, iron and steel, coal and gasoline.
Almost two-thirds of all Algeria's export trade is with European Union countries, with the United States and Japan taking much of the remainder.
The sale of natural gas and petroleum provided Algeria with 87% of its foreign exchange earnings during 1992. Petroleum and natural gas industries generated 38.1% of the government's income and contributed about 17.7% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. However, with only 9,200 million barrels of proven reserves, Algeria's petroleum will be depleted within 21 years and the government has emphasized the exploitation of its natural gas reserves which, as of 1993, were 3,600 million cubic metres and estimated to last for 71 years. Algeria has developed a petrochemical and refining industry based in Arzew, Bijaya and Skikda but thus far these projects have been costly and inefficient and have yet to contribute to the economy in a significant way.
The mining industry contributes 17% to Algeria's Gross Domestic Product. Mineral production includes mercury, iron ore, phosphates, zinc, silver, gypsum, and barite. The manufacturing industry contributes 14% to the GDP and includes construction materials (cement, bricks, structural steel), steel production, automobile manufacturing and consumer goods manufacturing.
The centrally controlled Algerian government has a large service sector encompassing industries like water supply, sewage, telecommunications and transport
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