Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe

View Profile →

Sao Tome and Principe-France Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $4.64M total volume •Sao Tome and Principe surplus: $1.64M

Sao Tome and PrincipeFrance

$3.14M

Exports (2023)

FranceSao Tome and Principe

$1.50M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.64M

Surplus for Sao Tome and Principe

Total Trade

$4.64M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Sao Tome and Principe and France. Green line shows exports from Sao Tome and Principe, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Sao Tome and Principe-France commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Sao Tome and PrincipeFrance Exports

$3.14M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
91.1% top product
1Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted
$2.86M
91.1% of exports
2Spices: fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground
$118,791
3.8% of exports
3Spices: pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground
$97,336
3.1% of exports
4Instruments and apparatus: specially designed for telecommunications (e.g. cross-talk meters, gain measuring instruments, distortion factor meters, psophometers)
$18,192
0.6% of exports
5Spices: vanilla, neither crushed nor ground
$14,545
0.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sao Tome and Principe's export portfolio to France demonstrates strategic specialization, with cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

FranceSao Tome and Principe Imports

$1.50M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
22.0% concentration
1Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
$330,027
22.0% of imports
2Insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cables
$240,357
16.0% of imports
3Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen
$75,070
5.0% of imports
4Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015
$66,629
4.4% of imports
5Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500cc
$58,259
3.9% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sao Tome and Principe's import pattern from France reveals significant dependencyin communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sao Tome and Principe demonstrates competitive strength in exportingcocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted to France, 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 $4.64M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sao Tome and Principe-France Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $4.64 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sao Tome and Principe maintains a surplus of $1.64 million
  • Export Focus: Sao Tome and Principe's primary exports include cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, spices: fruits of the genus capsicum or pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground, spices: pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from France include communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus, insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cables, meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen

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 $4.64M 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 Sao Tome and Principe leveraging its comparative advantages in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted.

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

Sao Tome and Principe's specialization in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedcomplements France's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $4.64M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $4.64M 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 $4.64 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted and communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sao Tome and Principe's trade surplus of $1.64 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 spices: fruits of the genus capsicum or pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus, 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 cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted 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 Sao Tome and Principe and France represents a total trade volume of $4.64 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Sao Tome and Principe, with exports exceeding importsby $1.64 million.

Export Strengths

Sao Tome and Principe's exports to France total $3.14 million, with competitive advantages in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, representing $2.86M or91.1% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from France amount to $1.50 million, highlighting economic interdependence in communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus, with Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus comprising22.0% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Sao Tome and Principe'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 Sao Tome and Principe and France in multiple formats.

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