The main pattern of trade is that developing countries tend to export mainly primary goods, and import mainly manufactured goods. In developed countries the pattern is the other way around - they tend to import primary goods and export manufactured goods. Primary goods are raw materials. They include coal, grains and fish. Manufactured goods are goods that have been made. They include cars, machinery and computers.




This graph shows that Colombia, which is a developing country, imports a lot of manufactured goods.



Most of Colombia's exports are primary goods.

Developed and developing countries are interdependent. This means they rely on each other. Developed countries need the raw materials for their manufacturing industries, and developing countries need to have a market for their goods.