Dem. Rep. of the Congo-China Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $18.74B total volume •Dem. Rep. of the Congo surplus: $9.77B
Dem. Rep. of the Congo → China
$14.25B
Exports (2023)
China → Dem. Rep. of the Congo
$4.49B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$9.77B
Surplus for Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Total Trade
$18.74B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Dem. Rep. of the Congo and China. Green line shows exports from Dem. Rep. of the Congo, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Dem. Rep. of the Congo-China commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Dem. Rep. of the Congo → China Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Dem. Rep. of the Congo's export portfolio to China demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
China → Dem. Rep. of the Congo Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Dem. Rep. of the Congo's import pattern from China reveals significant dependencyin iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Dem. Rep. of the Congo demonstrates competitive strength in exportingcopper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes to China, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $18.74B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Dem. Rep. of the Congo-China Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $18.74 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Dem. Rep. of the Congo maintains a surplus of $9.77 billion
- Export Focus: Dem. Rep. of the Congo's primary exports include copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes, cobalt: mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders, copper ores and concentrates
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from China include iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308, 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, machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for forming foundry moulds of sand: parts
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global 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 $18.74B 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 Dem. Rep. of the Congo leveraging its comparative advantages in copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes.
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
Comparative Advantage
Dem. Rep. of the Congo's specialization in copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodescomplements China's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $18.74B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $18.74B 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 $18.74 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes and iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Dem. Rep. of the Congo's trade surplus of $9.77 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯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 Dem. Rep. of the Congo and China represents a total trade volume of $18.74 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Dem. Rep. of the Congo, with exports exceeding importsby $9.77 billion.
Export Strengths
Dem. Rep. of the Congo's exports to China total $14.25 billion, with competitive advantages in copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes, representing $7.40B or51.9% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from China amount to $4.49 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308, with Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 comprising3.1% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Dem. Rep. of the Congo'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 Dem. Rep. of the Congo and China in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023