Sri Lanka-Maldives Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $163.75M total volume •Sri Lanka surplus: $157.61M

Sri LankaMaldives

$160.68M

Exports (2023)

MaldivesSri Lanka

$3.07M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$157.61M

Surplus for Sri Lanka

Total Trade

$163.75M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Sri LankaMaldives Exports

$160.68M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
5.3% top product
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
$8.44M
5.3% of exports
2Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectors
$7.34M
4.6% of exports
3Fruit, edible: fruits n.e.c. in heading no. 0801 to 0810, fresh
$5.84M
3.6% of exports
4Wheat or meslin flour
$4.51M
2.8% of exports
5Vegetables: edible, n.e.c. in chapter 07, fresh or chilled
$3.77M
2.3% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sri Lanka's export portfolio to Maldives demonstrates strategic specialization, 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 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

MaldivesSri Lanka Imports

$3.07M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
42.7% concentration
1Fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5
$1.31M
42.7% of imports
2Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish
$409,918
13.4% of imports
3Fish: live, ornamental, other than freshwater
$384,596
12.5% of imports
4Flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
$354,912
11.6% of imports
5Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced: frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.9
$135,111
4.4% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sri Lanka's import pattern from Maldives reveals significant dependencyin fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sri Lanka demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum 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 to Maldives, 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 $163.75M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sri Lanka-Maldives Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $163.75 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sri Lanka maintains a surplus of $157.61 million
  • Export Focus: Sri Lanka's primary exports 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, insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectors, fruit, edible: fruits n.e.c. in heading no. 0801 to 0810, fresh
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Maldives include fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5, dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish, fish: live, ornamental, other than freshwater

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 $163.75M 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 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.

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 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 oilscomplements Maldives's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $163.75M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $163.75M 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 $163.75 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows 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 and fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sri Lanka's trade surplus of $157.61 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 insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectors present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5, 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 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 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 Maldives represents a total trade volume of $163.75 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Sri Lanka, with exports exceeding importsby $157.61 million.

Export Strengths

Sri Lanka's exports to Maldives total $160.68 million, with competitive advantages 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, representing $8.44M or5.3% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Maldives amount to $3.07 million, highlighting economic interdependence in fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5, with Fish: dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5 comprising42.7% 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 Maldives in multiple formats.

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