Grand Kru County — Economic Profile

County Overview

• Capital: Barclayville
• Region: South-East
• Year: 2,024
• Population: 109,342
• Land Area (km²): 3,890
• GDP Contribution (USD M): 37.6
• GDP Share %: 0.8
• Growth Rate %: 3.2
• Gov Allocation (USD): 320,000
• Main Resources: Marine fisheries, palm oil, timber

Key Industries

• Fishing
• Agriculture
• Palm oil

Agricultural Products

• Cassava
• Rice
• Palm oil
• Vegetables

National Trade Context

• Year: 2,026
• Total Exports (USD): 199.97
• Total Imports (USD): 261.94
• Trade Balance (USD): -61.97
• FDI Inflows (USD): 0
• Remittances (USD): 84.78
• Top Export Commodity: Rubber
• Top Import Commodity: Fuel
• Top Trading Partners: United States, Canada, Switzerland

Private Sector Context (National)

• Year: 2,024
• Total GDP Contribution (USD M): 545.5
• Total Employment: 29,270
• ArcelorMittal Liberia: 480,000,000 USD revenue · 3,200 employees · mining
• Firestone Natural Rubber: 185,000,000 USD revenue · 6,800 employees · agriculture
• BRAC Liberia: 12,000,000 USD revenue · 450 employees · social services
• Save the Children Liberia: 8,500,000 USD revenue · 320 employees · health & education
• SME Sector Aggregate: 95,000,000 USD revenue · 18,500 employees · mixed (trade, services, manufacturing)

Economic Analysis & Outlook

Grand Kru County, located in Liberia’s South-East region with its administrative center in Barclayville, represents a modest but essential component of the national economy, contributing approximately 37.6 million USD to the total GDP. With a population of 109,342 and a growth rate of 3.2 percent, the county’s economic activity is primarily anchored in subsistence agriculture and artisanal fishing. Key crops such as cassava, rice, palm oil, and various vegetables form the backbone of the local economy, providing both sustenance and limited market trade. However, the county remains largely isolated from international capital flows, evidenced by zero foreign direct investment, and relies heavily on a limited government allocation of 320,000 USD to sustain local infrastructure and public services. The broader regional context reflects a challenging trade environment, characterized by a national trade deficit that hampers the ability of peripheral counties to expand their commercial reach. To bridge this gap, investment opportunities exist in modernizing the palm oil value chain and improving storage and processing facilities for agricultural produce and fishery products. By enhancing value-addition, the county could better leverage its natural resources to increase local incomes and reduce reliance on external supply chains. Nevertheless, significant risks persist, including inadequate road connectivity and limited access to financial services, which constrain entrepreneurial activity and market penetration. The forward-looking outlook for Grand Kru necessitates a strategic focus on infrastructure development and capacity building within the smallholder farming sector. If targeted investments are directed toward increasing productivity and market accessibility, the county can capitalize on its agrarian strengths, positioning itself as a more robust contributor to Liberia's economic trajectory while improving the standard of living for its residents.