Kiribati-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $16.48M total volume •Kiribati deficit: $6.49M

KiribatiJapan

$5.00M

Exports (2023)

JapanKiribati

$11.49M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$6.49M

Deficit for Kiribati

Total Trade

$16.48M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

KiribatiJapan Exports

$5.00M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
83.5% top product
1Fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus Thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (Euthynnus (Katsuwonus) pelamis)
$4.17M
83.5% of exports
2Fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$425,834
8.5% of exports
3Fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$343,587
6.9% of exports
4Salt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride whether or not in aqueous solution: sea water
$42,351
0.8% of exports
5Fish: frozen, swordfish (Xiphias gladius), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$10,940
0.2% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Kiribati's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

JapanKiribati Imports

$11.49M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
45.6% concentration
1Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods
$5.24M
45.6% of imports
2Iron or steel: stranded wire, ropes and cables, not electrically insulated
$905,280
7.9% of imports
3Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$733,917
6.4% of imports
4Engines: outboard motors for marine propulsion, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines
$585,467
5.1% of imports
5Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$566,234
4.9% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Kiribati's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Kiribati demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis) to Japan, 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 $16.48M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Kiribati-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $16.48 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Kiribati maintains a deficit of $6.49 million
  • Export Focus: Kiribati's primary exports include fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis), fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods, iron or steel: stranded wire, ropes and cables, not electrically insulated, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc

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 $16.48M 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 Kiribati leveraging its comparative advantages in fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis).

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

Kiribati's specialization in fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis)complements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $16.48M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $16.48M 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 $16.48 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis) and vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Kiribati's trade deficit of $6.49 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 fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods, 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 fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis) 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 Kiribati and Japan represents a total trade volume of $16.48 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Kiribati, with imports exceeding exportsby $6.49 million.

Export Strengths

Kiribati's exports to Japan total $5.00 million, with competitive advantages in fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis), representing $4.17M or83.5% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $11.49 million, highlighting economic interdependence in vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods, with Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods comprising45.6% of total imports.

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

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