Iraq-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.29B total volume •Iraq deficit: $1.29B

IraqSaudi Arabia

$0

Exports (2023)

Saudi ArabiaIraq

$1.29B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.29B

Deficit for Iraq

Total Trade

$1.29B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Green line shows exports from Iraq, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

IraqSaudi Arabia Exports

$0
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
Infinity% top product
1Aluminium: waste and scrap
$12.61M
Infinity% of exports
2Aluminium: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, (not electrically insulated), with steel core
$3.42M
Infinity% of exports
3Natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins, n.e.c. in heading no. 1301
$1.43M
Infinity% of exports
4Plastics: builders' ware, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doors
$344,497
Infinity% of exports
5Carpets and other textile floor coverings: woven, (not tufted or flocked), whether or not made up, including kelem, schumacks, karamanie and similar hand-woven rugs
$325,487
Infinity% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Iraq's export portfolio to Saudi Arabia demonstrates strategic specialization, with aluminium: waste and scrap representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Saudi ArabiaIraq Imports

$1.29B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
10.9% concentration
1Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square)
$140.84M
10.9% of imports
2Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise prepared
$125.04M
9.7% of imports
3Copper: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, not electrically insulated
$83.46M
6.4% of imports
4Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted after rolling
$78.19M
6.0% of imports
5Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts
$77.02M
5.9% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Iraq's import pattern from Saudi Arabia reveals significant dependencyin aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square), highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Iraq demonstrates competitive strength in exportingaluminium: waste and scrap to Saudi Arabia, 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 $1.29B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Iraq-Saudi Arabia Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.29 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Iraq maintains a deficit of $1.29 billion
  • Export Focus: Iraq's primary exports include aluminium: waste and scrap, aluminium: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, (not electrically insulated), with steel core, natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins, n.e.c. in heading no. 1301
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Saudi Arabia include aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square), food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise prepared, copper: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, not electrically insulated

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 $1.29B 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 Iraq leveraging its comparative advantages in aluminium: waste and scrap.

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

Iraq's specialization in aluminium: waste and scrapcomplements Saudi Arabia's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square).

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.29B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.29B 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 $1.29 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in aluminium: waste and scrap and aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square) demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Iraq's trade deficit of $1.29 billion 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 aluminium: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, (not electrically insulated), with steel core present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square), 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 aluminium: waste and scrap 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 Iraq and Saudi Arabia represents a total trade volume of $1.29 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Iraq, with imports exceeding exportsby $1.29 billion.

Export Strengths

Iraq's exports to Saudi Arabia total $0.00, with competitive advantages in aluminium: waste and scrap, representing $12.61M orInfinity% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Saudi Arabia amount to $1.29 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square), with Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square) comprising10.9% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Iraq's strategic sourcing from Saudi Arabia. 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 Iraq and Saudi Arabia in multiple formats.

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