Panama-Guatemala Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $411.69M total volume •Panama deficit: $237.39M

PanamaGuatemala

$87.15M

Exports (2023)

GuatemalaPanama

$324.54M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$237.39M

Deficit for Panama

Total Trade

$411.69M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Panama and Guatemala. Green line shows exports from Panama, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

PanamaGuatemala Exports

$87.15M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
10.5% top product
1Fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$9.11M
10.5% of exports
2Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$5.89M
6.8% of exports
3Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1
$5.43M
6.2% of exports
4Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803
$5.24M
6.0% of exports
5Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, bleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803
$3.55M
4.1% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Panama's export portfolio to Guatemala demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), 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.

GuatemalaPanama Imports

$324.54M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
12.4% concentration
1Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$40.31M
12.4% of imports
2Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products
$17.95M
5.5% of imports
3Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009
$12.84M
4.0% of imports
4Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), put up for retail sale
$10.89M
3.4% of imports
5Oral or dental hygiene preparations: dentifrices
$10.35M
3.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Panama's import pattern from Guatemala reveals significant dependencyin medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Panama demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 to Guatemala, 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 $411.69M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Panama-Guatemala Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $411.69 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Panama maintains a deficit of $237.39 million
  • Export Focus: Panama's primary exports include fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Guatemala include medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products, non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009

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 $411.69M 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 Panama leveraging its comparative advantages in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), 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

Panama's specialization in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99complements Guatemala's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $411.69M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $411.69M 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 $411.69 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 and medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Panama's trade deficit of $237.39 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 medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, 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, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), 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 Panama and Guatemala represents a total trade volume of $411.69 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Panama, with imports exceeding exportsby $237.39 million.

Export Strengths

Panama's exports to Guatemala total $87.15 million, with competitive advantages in fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, representing $9.11M or10.5% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Guatemala amount to $324.54 million, highlighting economic interdependence in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, with Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale comprising12.4% of total imports.

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

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