Vanuatu-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $49.64M total volume •Vanuatu surplus: $24.49M
Vanuatu → Japan
$37.06M
Exports (2023)
Japan → Vanuatu
$12.57M
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$24.49M
Surplus for Vanuatu
Total Trade
$49.64M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Vanuatu and Japan. Green line shows exports from Vanuatu, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Vanuatu-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Vanuatu → Japan Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Vanuatu's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Japan → Vanuatu Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Vanuatu's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Vanuatu demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $49.64M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Vanuatu-Japan Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $49.64 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Vanuatu maintains a surplus of $24.49 million
- Export Focus: Vanuatu's primary exports include fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, fish fillets: frozen, tunas (of the genus thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (euthynnus (katsuwonus) pelamis), fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used, vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1, vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 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 $49.64M 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 Vanuatu leveraging its comparative advantages in fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
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
Comparative Advantage
Vanuatu's specialization in fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99complements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $49.64M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $49.64M 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 $49.64 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 and vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Vanuatu's trade surplus of $24.49 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯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 Vanuatu and Japan represents a total trade volume of $49.64 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Vanuatu, with exports exceeding importsby $24.49 million.
Export Strengths
Vanuatu's exports to Japan total $37.06 million, with competitive advantages in fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, representing $17.66M or47.7% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Japan amount to $12.57 million, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used, with Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), new or used comprising22.1% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Vanuatu'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 Vanuatu and Japan in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023