Tanzania's current account deficit has risen to 89 million U.S. dollars in January this year, up from 74 million dollars in the preceding month.

The February review issued by the Bank of Tanzania and available on Thursday attributed the deficit increase to poor agricultural exports.

"The (current account) deterioration was largely due to low performance of traditional exports, particularly cashew, tea and cotton," the central bank report said.

The report said that earnings from traditional exports had dropped to 42.4 million dollars in January from 61.6 million dollars in December last year.

The bank also held decline in service receipts and in official current transfers responsible.

Non-traditional exports rose by 10 percent to 111.6 million dollars in January compared with December, boosted by increased sales of manufactured goods and minerals, especially gold.

Source: Xinhua