Some of Mauritania's food supplies have to be imported. Fishing is an important industry and fish are a major export. The fishing grounds off the Atlantic coast are among the most productive in the world. As with the fishing grounds , off the South American coast, it is cold ocean currents which support the fisheries. Foreign fishing vessels are required to land part of this catch for processing in Mauritania.
Iron ore is also important and accounts for a large proportion of commodities exported.
Copper, phosphates, gypsum, sulphur and salt are also produced. Manufacturing is on a relatively small scale. Fish processing is an important industry in this sector of the economy. Local crafts include carpet and rug production, leatherwork, jewellery and silverwork. The art of Mauritania is influenced by Islamic and African art.