South Africa-Saint Helena Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $9.37M total volume •South Africa surplus: $9.08M
South Africa → Saint Helena
$9.23M
Exports (2023)
Saint Helena → South Africa
$142,503
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$9.08M
Surplus for South Africa
Total Trade
$9.37M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between South Africa and Saint Helena. Green line shows exports from South Africa, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the South Africa-Saint Helena commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
South Africa → Saint Helena Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
South Africa's export portfolio to Saint Helena demonstrates strategic specialization, with vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Saint Helena → South Africa Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
South Africa's import pattern from Saint Helena reveals significant dependencyin unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
South Africa demonstrates competitive strength in exportingvitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed to Saint Helena, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $9.37M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: South Africa-Saint Helena Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $9.37 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: South Africa maintains a surplus of $9.08 million
- Export Focus: South Africa's primary exports include vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed, protein: concentrates and textured protein substances, dairy produce: milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 1%
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Saint Helena include unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title, fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, breathing appliances and gas masks: excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters and excluding apparatus of item no. 9019.20
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 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 $9.37M 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 South Africa leveraging its comparative advantages in vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed.
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
Comparative Advantage
South Africa's specialization in vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixedcomplements Saint Helena's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $9.37M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $9.37M 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 $9.37 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed and unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
South Africa's trade surplus of $9.08 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯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 South Africa and Saint Helena represents a total trade volume of $9.37 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for South Africa, with exports exceeding importsby $9.08 million.
Export Strengths
South Africa's exports to Saint Helena total $9.23 million, with competitive advantages in vitamins: vitamins a and their derivatives, unmixed, representing $560,206 or6.1% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Saint Helena amount to $142.50 thousand, highlighting economic interdependence in unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title, with Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title comprising53.3% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates South Africa'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 South Africa and Saint Helena in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023

