Thailand-Bhutan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $18.78M total volume •Thailand surplus: $18.65M

ThailandBhutan

$18.71M

Exports (2023)

BhutanThailand

$62,269

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$18.65M

Surplus for Thailand

Total Trade

$18.78M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Thailand and Bhutan. Green line shows exports from Thailand, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

ThailandBhutan Exports

$18.71M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
16.8% top product
1Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70
$3.14M
16.8% of exports
2Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2
$2.82M
15.1% of exports
3Fruit, edible: fruit n.e.c. in heading no. 0812, dried
$1.36M
7.3% of exports
4Ovens, cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters: of a kind used for domestic purposes (excluding microwaves)
$1.03M
5.5% of exports
5Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$895,296
4.8% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Thailand's export portfolio to Bhutan demonstrates strategic specialization, with units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

BhutanThailand Imports

$62,269
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
46.9% concentration
1Rubber: used pneumatic tyres
$29,232
46.9% of imports
2Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803
$20,980
33.7% of imports
3Tools, hand: hand-operated spanners and wrenches (including torque meter wrenches but not including tap wrenches), non-adjustable
$4,112
6.6% of imports
4Paintings, drawings and pastels: executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906
$2,041
3.3% of imports
5Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$1,450
2.3% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Thailand's import pattern from Bhutan reveals significant dependencyin rubber: used pneumatic tyres, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Thailand demonstrates competitive strength in exportingunits of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70 to Bhutan, 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 $18.78M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Thailand-Bhutan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $18.78 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Thailand maintains a surplus of $18.65 million
  • Export Focus: Thailand's primary exports include units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70, fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2, fruit, edible: fruit n.e.c. in heading no. 0812, dried
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Bhutan include rubber: used pneumatic tyres, aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803, tools, hand: hand-operated spanners and wrenches (including torque meter wrenches but not including tap wrenches), non-adjustable

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 $18.78M 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 Thailand leveraging its comparative advantages in units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70.

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

Thailand's specialization in units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70complements Bhutan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in rubber: used pneumatic tyres.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $18.78M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $18.78M 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 $18.78 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70 and rubber: used pneumatic tyres demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Thailand's trade surplus of $18.65 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 fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on rubber: used pneumatic tyres, 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 units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70 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 Thailand and Bhutan represents a total trade volume of $18.78 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Thailand, with exports exceeding importsby $18.65 million.

Export Strengths

Thailand's exports to Bhutan total $18.71 million, with competitive advantages in units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70, representing $3.14M or16.8% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Bhutan amount to $62.27 thousand, highlighting economic interdependence in rubber: used pneumatic tyres, with Rubber: used pneumatic tyres comprising46.9% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Thailand'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 Thailand and Bhutan in multiple formats.

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