Sierra Leone-Spain Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $19.27M total volume •Sierra Leone deficit: $13.83M

Sierra LeoneSpain

$2.72M

Exports (2023)

SpainSierra Leone

$16.55M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$13.83M

Deficit for Sierra Leone

Total Trade

$19.27M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Sierra Leone and Spain. Green line shows exports from Sierra Leone, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

Sierra LeoneSpain Exports

$2.72M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
30.1% top product
1Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted
$819,090
30.1% of exports
2Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)
$511,483
18.8% of exports
3Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7219
$431,688
15.9% of exports
4Juice: pineapple, of a Brix value exceeding 20, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
$365,721
13.4% of exports
5Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, (not in coils), of a thickness exceeding 10mm
$143,909
5.3% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sierra Leone's export portfolio to Spain demonstrates strategic specialization, with cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

SpainSierra Leone Imports

$16.55M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
23.0% concentration
1Petroleum 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
$3.81M
23.0% of imports
2Machinery: used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438
$1.44M
8.7% of imports
3Paper, cigarette: in the form of booklets or tubes
$1.34M
8.1% of imports
4Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water absorption coefficient by weight over 0.5% but not over 10%
$1.29M
7.8% of imports
5Odoriferous substances and mixtures: used as raw materials in industries other than the food or drink industries
$1.01M
6.1% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sierra Leone's import pattern from Spain reveals significant dependencyin 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, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sierra Leone demonstrates competitive strength in exportingcocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted to Spain, 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 $19.27M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sierra Leone-Spain Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $19.27 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sierra Leone maintains a deficit of $13.83 million
  • Export Focus: Sierra Leone's primary exports include cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square), steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7219
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Spain include 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, machinery: used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438, paper, cigarette: in the form of booklets or tubes

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 $19.27M 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 Sierra Leone 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

Sierra Leone's specialization in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedcomplements Spain's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly 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.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $19.27M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $19.27M 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 $19.27 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 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 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sierra Leone's trade deficit of $13.83 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 aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on 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, 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 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 Sierra Leone and Spain represents a total trade volume of $19.27 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Sierra Leone, with imports exceeding exportsby $13.83 million.

Export Strengths

Sierra Leone's exports to Spain total $2.72 million, with competitive advantages in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, representing $819,090 or30.1% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Spain amount to $16.55 million, highlighting economic interdependence 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, with 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 comprising23.0% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Sierra Leone's strategic sourcing from Spain. 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.

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