Kiribati-Thailand Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $76.73M total volume •Kiribati surplus: $65.39M

KiribatiThailand

$71.06M

Exports (2023)

ThailandKiribati

$5.67M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$65.39M

Surplus for Kiribati

Total Trade

$76.73M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Kiribati and Thailand. 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-Thailand commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

KiribatiThailand Exports

$71.06M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
75.6% top product
1Fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$53.70M
75.6% 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
$13.22M
18.6% 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
$3.92M
5.5% of exports
4Ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204
$198,154
0.3% of exports
5Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included: n.e.c. in 3825 or 27.10
$9,128
0.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Kiribati's export portfolio to Thailand demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

ThailandKiribati Imports

$5.67M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
53.1% concentration
1Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
$3.01M
53.1% of imports
2Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, containing added flavouring or colouring matter
$638,400
11.3% of imports
3Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise prepared
$252,522
4.5% of imports
4Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)
$243,950
4.3% 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
$223,444
3.9% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Kiribati's import pattern from Thailand reveals significant dependencyin sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Kiribati demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 to Thailand, 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 $76.73M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Kiribati-Thailand Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $76.73 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Kiribati maintains a surplus of $65.39 million
  • Export Focus: Kiribati's primary exports include fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, 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 Thailand include sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, containing added flavouring or colouring matter, food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise prepared

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 $76.73M 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: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.

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: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99complements Thailand's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $76.73M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $76.73M 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 $76.73 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 and sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Kiribati's trade surplus of $65.39 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 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 sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, 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 fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 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 Thailand represents a total trade volume of $76.73 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Kiribati, with exports exceeding importsby $65.39 million.

Export Strengths

Kiribati's exports to Thailand total $71.06 million, with competitive advantages in fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, representing $53.70M or75.6% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Thailand amount to $5.67 million, highlighting economic interdependence in sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, with Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter comprising53.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Kiribati'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

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