Iceland-Norway Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.52B total volume •Iceland deficit: $681.63M

IcelandNorway

$419.51M

Exports (2023)

NorwayIceland

$1.10B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$681.63M

Deficit for Iceland

Total Trade

$1.52B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Iceland and Norway. Green line shows exports from Iceland, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

IcelandNorway Exports

$419.51M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
37.1% top product
1Flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
$155.83M
37.1% of exports
2Fats and oils and their fractions: of fish, (excluding liver-oils)
$112.94M
26.9% of exports
3Carbon: lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes
$33.28M
7.9% of exports
4Carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for other than furnaces
$19.87M
4.7% of exports
5Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels: for processing or preserving fishery products
$10.39M
2.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Iceland's export portfolio to Norway demonstrates strategic specialization, with flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

NorwayIceland Imports

$1.10B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
49.8% concentration
1Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$548.17M
49.8% of imports
2Carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for other than furnaces
$190.77M
17.3% of imports
3Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding
$98.51M
8.9% of imports
4Crustaceans: frozen, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
$14.55M
1.3% of imports
5Floating structures: tanks, coffer-dams, landing stages, buoys and beacons
$13.14M
1.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Iceland's import pattern from Norway reveals significant dependencyin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Iceland demonstrates competitive strength in exportingflours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates to Norway, 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 $1.52B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Iceland-Norway Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.52 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Iceland maintains a deficit of $681.63 million
  • Export Focus: Iceland's primary exports include flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, fats and oils and their fractions: of fish, (excluding liver-oils), carbon: lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Norway include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for other than furnaces, dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding

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 $1.52B 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 Iceland leveraging its comparative advantages in flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates.

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

Iceland's specialization in flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebratescomplements Norway's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.52B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.52B 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 $1.52 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Iceland's trade deficit of $681.63 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 fats and oils and their fractions: of fish, (excluding liver-oils) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, 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 flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates 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 Iceland and Norway represents a total trade volume of $1.52 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Iceland, with imports exceeding exportsby $681.63 million.

Export Strengths

Iceland's exports to Norway total $419.51 million, with competitive advantages in flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, representing $155.83M or37.1% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Norway amount to $1.10 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising49.8% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Iceland's strategic sourcing from Norway. 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.

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