Kuwait-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $11.42B total volume โ€ขKuwait surplus: $6.84B

Kuwait โ†’ Japan

$9.13B

Exports (2023)

Japan โ†’ Kuwait

$2.29B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$6.84B

Surplus for Kuwait

Total Trade

$11.42B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

Kuwait โ†’ Japan Exports

$9.13B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
78.7% top product
1Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$7.19B
78.7% of exports
2Petroleum 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
$1.76B
19.3% of exports
3Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$117.70M
1.3% of exports
4Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes
$47.72M
0.5% of exports
5Copper: waste and scrap
$4.22M
0.0% of exports
6Catalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with nickel or nickel compounds as the active substance, n.e.c. or included
$3.58M
0.0% of exports
7Catalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with an active substance other than nickel or precious metals or their compounds, n.e.c. or included
$3.01M
0.0% of exports
8Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly aluminium
$1.87M
0.0% of exports
9Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates
$1.42M
0.0% of exports
10Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon
$601,751
0.0% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

Kuwait's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Japan โ†’ Kuwait Imports

$2.29B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
42.7% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$977.51M
42.7% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc
$511.71M
22.4% of imports
3Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$115.59M
5.1% of imports
4Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used
$76.58M
3.3% of imports
5Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708
$32.95M
1.4% of imports
6Vehicles: spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$32.84M
1.4% of imports
7Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)
$31.39M
1.4% of imports
8Vehicles: 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
$26.72M
1.2% of imports
9Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments
$21.82M
1.0% of imports
10Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91
$21.17M
0.9% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

Kuwait's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

Kuwait demonstrates competitive strength in exportingoils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

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

Specialized Exchange
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $11.42B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Kuwait-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $11.42 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Kuwait maintains a surplus of $6.84 billion
  • Export Focus: Kuwait's primary exports include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, 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, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global 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 $11.42B 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 Kuwait leveraging its comparative advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.

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

Kuwait's specialization in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crudecomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $11.42B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyHigh
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $11.42B 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

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $11.42 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

Kuwait's trade surplus of $6.84 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation 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 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic 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 Kuwait and Japan represents a total trade volume of $11.42 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Kuwait, with exports exceeding importsby $6.84 billion.

Export Strengths

Kuwait's exports to Japan total $9.13 billion, with competitive advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, representing $7.19B or78.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $2.29 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc comprising42.7% of total imports.

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

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