Import Economy Suriname

This page provides insights and overview in the import of basic foods into Suriname.

Import Replacing Production

Many basic foods, fruits and vegetables, are imported into Suriname.

Currently, hardly any of the basic foods are produced in Suriname and/or exported.

This why we call Suriname an import economy.

Most people in Suriname would like to see import replacing production to be started up.

Very important to notice is that all the basic foods can be grown and/or produced in Suriname.

For instance: once Suriname was a significant producer of sugar in the world with over 500 plantations. Today (in 2022) there are zero active sugar plantations.

There is a great business opportunity for small, medium and large entrepreneurs to start up import replacing production.

Wholesale Prices

The government of Suriname has released a webpage with information on whole sales prices

ez.gov.sr/groothandelprijzen

Here is a pdf download

Basic goodslist and strategic prices (pdf)

Basic Foods List

The list of imported basic foods into Suriname is as follows:

  • Bread, White Buns
  • Milk (Full)
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Sugar (white)
  • Sugar Brown
  • Flower
  • Cooking Oil
  • Sardines Tomato
  • Sardines Oil
  • Yellow Peas (Goya)
  • Nutrilon (Small) - baby milk
  • Nutrilon (Large) - baby milk
  • Brown Beans (pacifico)
  • Rice
  • Butter (Cream)
  • Butter (Margarine)
  • Water
  • Poultry (Chicken)
  • Corn
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Cheese
  • Salted Meat
  • Herbs (Curry)
  • Macaroni/Pasta

In relation to economic development the preferred situation is that the majority of basic foods are produced locally in Suriname.

For this, local entrepreneurship in producing these foods should be stimulated via a Basic Foods Local Production Program.

Such a program would also create a multiplier effect in new businesses, jobs and income.

Currently, such a program is not yet started up or unknown to us.

Note: This list is not an official list from the government.

Importers

This is a list of known importers of basic foods into Suriname:

  • B&B Trading
  • Simpex
  • Icom Trade
  • NV Dam
  • Simextra
  • DTS
  • SAFE Trade
  • Best Markt
  • HEM
  • HJ De Vries

Asap the addresses and websites will be provided.

Source of this data: internet research.

Currently an official list of importers has not been provided to us by min EOTI.

Distributors (Supermarkets)

This is a list of known distributors of basic foods into Suriname:

  • Choi
  • G Sale
  • Combe Markt
  • WOW
  • Chotelall
  • Lyn S
  • 999
  • Jong A Kiem
  • Fernandes
  • HJ De Vries

Asap the addresses and websites will be provided.

Source of this data: internet research.

Currently an official list of distributors has not been provided to us by min EOTI.

Import Statistics Top Basic Foods

The table below is created based on internet research.

Basic FoodImportWholesaleNeed (volume/day)
Sardines Tomato
Yellow Peas
Nutrilon (Small)
Brown Beans
Butter (Margarine)
Poultry (Chicken)
Tea
Coffee
Salted Meat
Onion

These statistics have not yet been provided by the government.

If the information is available by the governement, please email us.

Feedback

If you find any information or data on this page is incorrect, please email.