Japan-Bhutan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $2.27M total volume •Japan surplus: $636,942

JapanBhutan

$1.45M

Exports (2023)

BhutanJapan

$816,969

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$636,942

Surplus for Japan

Total Trade

$2.27M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Japan and Bhutan. Green line shows exports from Japan, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

JapanBhutan Exports

$1.45M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
15.4% top product
1Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder
$224,242
15.4% of exports
2Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.1
$173,135
11.9% of exports
3Electrodes: coated, of base metal, for electric arc-welding
$172,744
11.9% of exports
4Metal: precious or metal clad with precious metal, other than that of item no. 7115.10
$102,063
7.0% of exports
5Dyes: synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically defined
$92,789
6.4% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Japan's export portfolio to Bhutan demonstrates strategic specialization, with metals: gold, non-monetary, powder representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

BhutanJapan Imports

$816,969
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
51.2% concentration
1Vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus Agaricus), fresh or chilled
$418,147
51.2% of imports
2Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon
$355,382
43.5% of imports
3Collections and collectors' pieces: of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, palaeontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest
$16,820
2.1% of imports
4Sugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containing, in the dry state, 50% by weight of fructose
$7,146
0.9% of imports
5Cereals: buckwheat
$4,705
0.6% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Japan's import pattern from Bhutan reveals significant dependencyin vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Japan demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmetals: gold, non-monetary, powder to Bhutan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $2.27M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Japan-Bhutan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $2.27 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Japan maintains a surplus of $636.94 thousand
  • Export Focus: Japan's primary exports include metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.1, electrodes: coated, of base metal, for electric arc-welding
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Bhutan include vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, collections and collectors' pieces: of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, palaeontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest

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 $2.27M 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 Japan leveraging its comparative advantages in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder.

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

Japan's specialization in metals: gold, non-monetary, powdercomplements Bhutan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $2.27M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $2.27M 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 $2.27 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder and vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Japan's trade surplus of $636.94 thousand 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 medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.1 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder 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 Japan and Bhutan represents a total trade volume of $2.27 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Japan, with exports exceeding importsby $636.94 thousand.

Export Strengths

Japan's exports to Bhutan total $1.45 million, with competitive advantages in metals: gold, non-monetary, powder, representing $224,242 or15.4% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Bhutan amount to $816.97 thousand, highlighting economic interdependence in vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus agaricus), fresh or chilled, with Vegetables: truffles and mushrooms (other than of the genus Agaricus), fresh or chilled comprising51.2% of total imports.

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

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