United Kingdom

United Kingdom

View Profile →

United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.10B total volume •United Kingdom deficit: $694.36M

United KingdomSri Lanka

$203.19M

Exports (2023)

Sri LankaUnited Kingdom

$897.55M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$694.36M

Deficit for United Kingdom

Total Trade

$1.10B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

United KingdomSri Lanka Exports

$203.19M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
14.9% top product
1Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN
$30.27M
14.9% of exports
2Whiskies
$15.57M
7.7% of exports
3Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$11.74M
5.8% of exports
4Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803): printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weight 40-150g/m2, n.e.c. in item no. 4802.55 or 4802.56
$5.53M
2.7% of exports
5Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc
$5.05M
2.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

United Kingdom's export portfolio to Sri Lanka demonstrates strategic specialization, with turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Sri LankaUnited Kingdom Imports

$897.55M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
9.4% concentration
1Garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$84.28M
9.4% of imports
2T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$31.51M
3.5% of imports
3Brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted
$27.22M
3.0% of imports
4Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$25.34M
2.8% of imports
5Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title
$19.69M
2.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

United Kingdom's import pattern from Sri Lanka reveals significant dependencyin garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

United Kingdom demonstrates competitive strength in exportingturbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn to Sri Lanka, 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 $1.10B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.10 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: United Kingdom maintains a deficit of $694.36 million
  • Export Focus: United Kingdom's primary exports include turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn, whiskies, turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Sri Lanka include garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted, t-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted, brassieres: whether or not knitted or crocheted

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 $1.10B 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 turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn.

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 turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kncomplements Sri Lanka's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.10B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.10B 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 $1.10 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn and garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

United Kingdom's trade deficit of $694.36 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in whiskies present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted, 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 turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn 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 Sri Lanka represents a total trade volume of $1.10 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for United Kingdom, with imports exceeding exportsby $694.36 million.

Export Strengths

United Kingdom's exports to Sri Lanka total $203.19 million, with competitive advantages in turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn, representing $30.27M or14.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Sri Lanka amount to $897.55 million, highlighting economic interdependence in garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted, with Garments and clothing accessories: babies', of cotton, knitted or crocheted comprising9.4% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates United Kingdom's strategic sourcing from Sri Lanka. 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 Sri Lanka in multiple formats.

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