Bhutan-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $2.27M total volume •Bhutan deficit: $636,942

BhutanJapan

$816,969

Exports (2023)

JapanBhutan

$1.45M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$636,942

Deficit for Bhutan

Total Trade

$2.27M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Bhutan and Japan. Green line shows exports from Bhutan, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Bhutan-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

BhutanJapan Exports

$816,969
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
51.2% top product
1Vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus Agaricus), fresh or chilled
$418,147
51.2% of exports
2Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon
$355,382
43.5% of exports
3Collections and collectors' pieces: of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, palaeontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest
$16,820
2.1% of exports
4Sugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containing, in the dry state, 50% by weight of fructose
$7,146
0.9% of exports
5Cereals: buckwheat
$4,705
0.6% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Bhutan's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

JapanBhutan Imports

$1.45M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
15.4% concentration
1Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder
$224,242
15.4% of imports
2Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.1
$173,135
11.9% of imports
3Electrodes: coated, of base metal, for electric arc-welding
$172,744
11.9% of imports
4Metal: precious or metal clad with precious metal, other than that of item no. 7115.10
$102,063
7.0% of imports
5Dyes: synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically defined
$92,789
6.4% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Bhutan's import pattern from Japan reveals strategic sourcingin metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Bhutan demonstrates competitive strength in exportingvegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $2.27M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Bhutan-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $2.27 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Bhutan maintains a deficit of $636.94 thousand
  • Export Focus: Bhutan's primary exports include vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, collections and collectors' pieces: of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, palaeontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.1, electrodes: coated, of base metal, for electric arc-welding

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $2.27M represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Bhutan leveraging its comparative advantages in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Bhutan's specialization in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilledcomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $2.27M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $2.27M bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $2.27 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled and metals: gold, non-monetary, powder demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Bhutan's trade deficit of $636.94 thousand impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Bhutan and Japan represents a total trade volume of $2.27 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Bhutan, with imports exceeding exportsby $636.94 thousand.

Export Strengths

Bhutan's exports to Japan total $816.97 thousand, with competitive advantages in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, representing $418,147 or51.2% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $1.45 million, highlighting economic interdependence in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, with Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder comprising15.4% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Bhutan's strategic sourcing from Japan. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Bhutan and Japan in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023