Samoa-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $21.57M total volume •Samoa deficit: $20.42M

SamoaJapan

$572,481

Exports (2023)

JapanSamoa

$21.00M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$20.42M

Deficit for Samoa

Total Trade

$21.57M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

SamoaJapan Exports

$572,481
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
36.7% top product
1Fish: frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$209,900
36.7% of exports
2Waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators: spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators
$101,761
17.8% of exports
3Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted
$65,904
11.5% of exports
4Juice: orange, not frozen, of a Brix value exceeding 20, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
$59,532
10.4% of exports
5Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants: prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar, other sweetening matter or spirit, n.e.c. in heading no. 2008
$49,647
8.7% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Samoa's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), 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.

JapanSamoa Imports

$21.00M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
27.1% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$5.69M
27.1% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$2.25M
10.7% of imports
3Vehicles: 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
$1.95M
9.3% 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
$1.56M
7.4% of imports
5Motorboats: (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable
$901,368
4.3% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Samoa's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Samoa demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 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 $21.57M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Samoa-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $21.57 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Samoa maintains a deficit of $20.42 million
  • Export Focus: Samoa's primary exports include fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators: spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators, cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, vehicles: 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

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 $21.57M 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 Samoa leveraging its comparative advantages in fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), 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

Samoa's specialization in fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99complements 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 1500 but not over 3000cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $21.57M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $21.57M 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 $21.57 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Samoa's trade deficit of $20.42 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 waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators: spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, 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, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), 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 Samoa and Japan represents a total trade volume of $21.57 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Samoa, with imports exceeding exportsby $20.42 million.

Export Strengths

Samoa's exports to Japan total $572.48 thousand, with competitive advantages in fish: frozen, sardines (sardina pilchardus, sardinops spp.), sardinella (sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, representing $209,900 or36.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $21.00 million, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc comprising27.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Samoa'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

Access detailed trade data between Samoa and Japan in multiple formats.

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