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Bhutan-United Kingdom Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $3.10M total volume •Bhutan deficit: $1.69M

BhutanUnited Kingdom

$703,927

Exports (2023)

United KingdomBhutan

$2.40M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.69M

Deficit for Bhutan

Total Trade

$3.10M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Bhutan and United Kingdom. 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-United Kingdom commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

BhutanUnited Kingdom Exports

$703,927
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
45.0% top product
1Ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines
$316,616
45.0% of exports
2Signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, burglar or fire alarms and similar, other than those of heading no. 8512 or 8530
$156,882
22.3% of exports
3Antiques: of an age exceeding one hundred years
$111,633
15.9% of exports
4Christmas festivity articles
$28,248
4.0% of exports
5Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants: prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar, other sweetening matter or spirit, n.e.c. in heading no. 2008
$17,536
2.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Bhutan's export portfolio to United Kingdom demonstrates strategic specialization, with ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

United KingdomBhutan Imports

$2.40M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
81.1% concentration
1Whiskies
$1.94M
81.1% of imports
2Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen
$93,943
3.9% of imports
3Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof
$78,138
3.3% of imports
4Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
$46,443
1.9% of imports
5Dressings, adhesive: and other articles having an adhesive layer, packed for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes
$34,054
1.4% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Bhutan's import pattern from United Kingdom reveals significant dependencyin whiskies, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Bhutan demonstrates competitive strength in exportingignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines to United Kingdom, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

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

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $3.10M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Bhutan-United Kingdom Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $3.10 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Bhutan maintains a deficit of $1.69 million
  • Export Focus: Bhutan's primary exports include ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines, signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, burglar or fire alarms and similar, other than those of heading no. 8512 or 8530, antiques: of an age exceeding one hundred years
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from United Kingdom include whiskies, meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen, jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof

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 $3.10M 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 ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines.

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 ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginescomplements United Kingdom's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in whiskies.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $3.10M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $3.10M 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 $3.10 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines and whiskies demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Bhutan's trade deficit of $1.69 million 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 signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, burglar or fire alarms and similar, other than those of heading no. 8512 or 8530 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on whiskies, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines 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 United Kingdom represents a total trade volume of $3.10 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Bhutan, with imports exceeding exportsby $1.69 million.

Export Strengths

Bhutan's exports to United Kingdom total $703.93 thousand, with competitive advantages in ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines, representing $316,616 or45.0% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from United Kingdom amount to $2.40 million, highlighting economic interdependence in whiskies, with Whiskies comprising81.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Bhutan's strategic sourcing from United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom in multiple formats.

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