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United Kingdom-Sierra Leone Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $51.65M total volume •United Kingdom surplus: $30.78M

United KingdomSierra Leone

$41.22M

Exports (2023)

Sierra LeoneUnited Kingdom

$10.44M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$30.78M

Surplus for United Kingdom

Total Trade

$51.65M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between United Kingdom and Sierra Leone. Green line shows exports from United Kingdom, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the United Kingdom-Sierra Leone commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

United KingdomSierra Leone Exports

$41.22M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
10.8% top product
1Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431
$4.43M
10.8% of exports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc
$2.34M
5.7% of exports
3Plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articles
$2.34M
5.7% of exports
4Machines: for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances
$2.16M
5.2% of exports
5Electrical apparatus: parts (e.g. boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets, other bases), for goods of heading no. 8537, not equipped with their apparatus
$1.87M
4.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

United Kingdom's export portfolio to Sierra Leone demonstrates strategic specialization, with machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Sierra LeoneUnited Kingdom Imports

$10.44M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
26.5% concentration
1Iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc
$2.76M
26.5% of imports
2Diamonds: non-industrial, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, but not mounted or set
$1.39M
13.3% of imports
3Vehicle parts: suspension systems and parts thereof (including shock-absorbers)
$563,449
5.4% of imports
4Vegetables, leguminous: lentils, shelled, whether or not skinned or split, dried
$500,075
4.8% of imports
5Diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set
$188,908
1.8% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

United Kingdom's import pattern from Sierra Leone reveals significant dependencyin iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

United Kingdom demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmachinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 to Sierra Leone, 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 $51.65M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: United Kingdom-Sierra Leone Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $51.65 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: United Kingdom maintains a surplus of $30.78 million
  • Export Focus: United Kingdom's primary exports include machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc, plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articles
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Sierra Leone include iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc, diamonds: non-industrial, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, but not mounted or set, vehicle parts: suspension systems and parts thereof (including shock-absorbers)

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 $51.65M 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 United Kingdom leveraging its comparative advantages in machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431.

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

United Kingdom's specialization in machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431complements Sierra Leone's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $51.65M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $51.65M 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 $51.65 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 and iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

United Kingdom's trade surplus of $30.78 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 vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc, 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 machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 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 United Kingdom and Sierra Leone represents a total trade volume of $51.65 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for United Kingdom, with exports exceeding importsby $30.78 million.

Export Strengths

United Kingdom's exports to Sierra Leone total $41.22 million, with competitive advantages in machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431, representing $4.43M or10.8% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Sierra Leone amount to $10.44 million, highlighting economic interdependence in iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc, with Iron or non-alloy steel: wire, plated or coated with zinc comprising26.5% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates United Kingdom'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 United Kingdom and Sierra Leone in multiple formats.

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