Sri Lanka-Italy Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $890.16M total volume •Sri Lanka surplus: $409.05M

Sri LankaItaly

$649.60M

Exports (2023)

ItalySri Lanka

$240.55M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$409.05M

Surplus for Sri Lanka

Total Trade

$890.16M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Sri Lanka and Italy. Green line shows exports from Sri Lanka, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

Sri LankaItaly Exports

$649.60M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
22.6% top product
1Brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted
$146.89M
22.6% of exports
2Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted
$59.96M
9.2% of exports
3T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$43.30M
6.7% of exports
4Underpants and briefs: men's or boys', of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$38.45M
5.9% of exports
5Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$26.38M
4.1% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sri Lanka's export portfolio to Italy demonstrates strategic specialization, with brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

ItalySri Lanka Imports

$240.55M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
23.6% concentration
1Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread
$56.88M
23.6% of imports
2Fabrics: narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread
$14.20M
5.9% of imports
3Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of nylon or other polymides (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread
$11.40M
4.7% of imports
4Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped)
$8.05M
3.3% of imports
5Lace: mechanically made, of man-made fibres in the piece, in strips or in motifs, (other than fabrics of headings 60.02 to 60.06)
$7.14M
3.0% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sri Lanka's import pattern from Italy reveals significant dependencyin fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sri Lanka demonstrates competitive strength in exportingbrassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted to Italy, 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 $890.16M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sri Lanka-Italy Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $890.16 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sri Lanka maintains a surplus of $409.05 million
  • Export Focus: Sri Lanka's primary exports include brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted, briefs and panties: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted, t-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Italy include fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread, fabrics: narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of nylon or other polymides (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread

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 $890.16M 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 Sri Lanka leveraging its comparative advantages in brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted.

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

Sri Lanka's specialization in brassieres: whether or not knitted or crochetedcomplements Italy's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $890.16M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $890.16M 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 $890.16 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted and fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sri Lanka's trade surplus of $409.05 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 briefs and panties: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread, 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 brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted 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 Sri Lanka and Italy represents a total trade volume of $890.16 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Sri Lanka, with exports exceeding importsby $409.05 million.

Export Strengths

Sri Lanka's exports to Italy total $649.60 million, with competitive advantages in brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted, representing $146.89M or22.6% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Italy amount to $240.55 million, highlighting economic interdependence in fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread, with Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread comprising23.6% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Sri Lanka'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.

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