Guatemala-Panama Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $411.69M total volume •Guatemala surplus: $237.39M

GuatemalaPanama

$324.54M

Exports (2023)

PanamaGuatemala

$87.15M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$237.39M

Surplus for Guatemala

Total Trade

$411.69M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Guatemala and Panama. Green line shows exports from Guatemala, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

GuatemalaPanama Exports

$324.54M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
12.4% top product
1Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$40.31M
12.4% of exports
2Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products
$17.95M
5.5% of exports
3Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009
$12.84M
4.0% of exports
4Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), put up for retail sale
$10.89M
3.4% of exports
5Oral or dental hygiene preparations: dentifrices
$10.35M
3.2% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Guatemala's export portfolio to Panama demonstrates strategic specialization, with medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

PanamaGuatemala Imports

$87.15M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
10.5% concentration
1Fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$9.11M
10.5% of imports
2Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$5.89M
6.8% of imports
3Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1
$5.43M
6.2% of imports
4Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803
$5.24M
6.0% of imports
5Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, bleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803
$3.55M
4.1% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Guatemala's import pattern from Panama reveals significant dependencyin fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Guatemala demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmedicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale to Panama, 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 $411.69M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Guatemala-Panama Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $411.69 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Guatemala maintains a surplus of $237.39 million
  • Export Focus: Guatemala's primary exports include medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products, non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Panama include fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1

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 $411.69M 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 Guatemala leveraging its comparative advantages in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.

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

Guatemala's specialization in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail salecomplements Panama's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $411.69M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $411.69M 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 $411.69 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale and fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Guatemala's trade surplus of $237.39 million 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 food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, 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 medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale 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 Guatemala and Panama represents a total trade volume of $411.69 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Guatemala, with exports exceeding importsby $237.39 million.

Export Strengths

Guatemala's exports to Panama total $324.54 million, with competitive advantages in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, representing $40.31M or12.4% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Panama amount to $87.15 million, highlighting economic interdependence in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, with Fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 comprising10.5% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Guatemala'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 Guatemala and Panama in multiple formats.

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