Sri Lanka-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $421.97M total volume •Sri Lanka surplus: $43.89M

Sri LankaJapan

$232.93M

Exports (2023)

JapanSri Lanka

$189.04M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$43.89M

Surplus for Sri Lanka

Total Trade

$421.97M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan. 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-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Sri LankaJapan Exports

$232.93M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
11.0% top product
1Bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof
$25.57M
11.0% of exports
2Tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg
$21.84M
9.4% of exports
3Tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg
$14.14M
6.1% of exports
4Rubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), surgical gloves
$11.23M
4.8% of exports
5Crustaceans: frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
$10.06M
4.3% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sri Lanka's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

JapanSri Lanka Imports

$189.04M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
3.9% concentration
1Rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (CR), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip
$7.43M
3.9% of imports
2Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018
$5.46M
2.9% of imports
3Rubber: synthetic, n.e.c. in heading 4002, latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip
$5.09M
2.7% of imports
4Fabrics: warp knit (including those made on galloon knitting machines), other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed
$3.46M
1.8% of imports
5Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed
$3.26M
1.7% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sri Lanka's import pattern from Japan reveals strategic sourcingin rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sri Lanka demonstrates competitive strength in exportingbran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
📈

Growth Potential

The $421.97M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sri Lanka-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $421.97 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sri Lanka maintains a surplus of $43.89 million
  • Export Focus: Sri Lanka's primary exports include bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof, tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg, tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip, medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018, rubber: synthetic, n.e.c. in heading 4002, latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

📈 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 $421.97M 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 bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof.

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 bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereofcomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $421.97M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $421.97M 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 $421.97 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof and rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sri Lanka's trade surplus of $43.89 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip, 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 bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof 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 Japan represents a total trade volume of $421.97 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Sri Lanka, with exports exceeding importsby $43.89 million.

Export Strengths

Sri Lanka's exports to Japan total $232.93 million, with competitive advantages in bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other workings thereof, representing $25.57M or11.0% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $189.04 million, highlighting economic interdependence in rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (cr), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip, with Rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (CR), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip comprising3.9% 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.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Sri Lanka and Japan in multiple formats.

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