Most of the population, however, is engaged in subsistence farming, growing corn, wheat, millet, sorghum, vegetables, bananas, and cassava. In addition, large numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats are raised.
Timber is important and includes mahogany, teak, ebony, camphor wood, and mangrove.
Manufactures are largely limited to processed agricultural goods, beverages, paper, and basic consumer items. There are also tin mines in NW Tanzania and coal and iron ore deposits near Lake Nyasa. Natural-gas exploration is being undertaken in the Rufiji delta. Tanzania has limited road and rail networks. Tanzania has a growing trade deficit, exacerbated by nationalization efforts.