China-Djibouti Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $3.48B total volume •China surplus: $3.24B

ChinaDjibouti

$3.36B

Exports (2023)

DjiboutiChina

$119.21M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$3.24B

Surplus for China

Total Trade

$3.48B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between China and Djibouti. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

ChinaDjibouti Exports

$3.36B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
4.5% top product
1Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)
$150.42M
4.5% of exports
2Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics
$148.08M
4.4% of exports
3Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$99.10M
2.9% of exports
4Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mm
$74.26M
2.2% of exports
5Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not: puzzles of all kinds
$65.95M
2.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

China's export portfolio to Djibouti demonstrates strategic specialization, with iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

DjiboutiChina Imports

$119.21M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
98.9% concentration
1Bromides: of sodium or of potassium
$117.87M
98.9% of imports
2Copper: unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refining
$494,401
0.4% of imports
3Copper: copper-zinc base alloys (brass) unwrought
$391,783
0.3% of imports
4Copper: waste and scrap
$168,795
0.1% of imports
5Mineral substances: n.e.c. in chapter 25
$165,827
0.1% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

China's import pattern from Djibouti reveals significant dependencyin bromides: of sodium or of potassium, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingiron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) to Djibouti, 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 $3.48B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: China-Djibouti Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $3.48 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $3.24 billion
  • Export Focus: China's primary exports include iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically), footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Djibouti include bromides: of sodium or of potassium, copper: unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refining, copper: copper-zinc base alloys (brass) unwrought

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 $3.48B 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 China leveraging its comparative advantages in iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically).

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

China's specialization in iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)complements Djibouti's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in bromides: of sodium or of potassium.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $3.48B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $3.48B 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 $3.48 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) and bromides: of sodium or of potassium demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

China's trade surplus of $3.24 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on bromides: of sodium or of potassium, 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 iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) 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 China and Djibouti represents a total trade volume of $3.48 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $3.24 billion.

Export Strengths

China's exports to Djibouti total $3.36 billion, with competitive advantages in iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, corrugated, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically), representing $150.42M or4.5% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Djibouti amount to $119.21 million, highlighting economic interdependence in bromides: of sodium or of potassium, with Bromides: of sodium or of potassium comprising98.9% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. 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 China and Djibouti in multiple formats.

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