Vanuatu-Malaysia Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $29.21M total volume •Vanuatu deficit: $25.23M

VanuatuMalaysia

$1.99M

Exports (2023)

MalaysiaVanuatu

$27.22M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$25.23M

Deficit for Vanuatu

Total Trade

$29.21M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Vanuatu and Malaysia. 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-Malaysia commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

VanuatuMalaysia Exports

$1.99M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
91.2% top product
1Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted
$1.81M
91.2% of exports
2Copra
$133,885
6.7% of exports
3Vegetable oils: coconut (copra) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified
$40,396
2.0% of exports
4Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$110
0.0% of exports
5Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa
$37
0.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Vanuatu's export portfolio to Malaysia demonstrates strategic specialization, with cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

MalaysiaVanuatu Imports

$27.22M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
79.3% concentration
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
$21.59M
79.3% of imports
2Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced during the rolling process or twisted after rolling
$684,709
2.5% of imports
3Automatic data processing machines: comprising in the same housing at least a central processing unit and an input and output unit, whether or not combined, n.e.c. in item no. 8471.30
$402,051
1.5% of imports
4Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$356,056
1.3% of imports
5Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
$279,603
1.0% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Vanuatu's import pattern from Malaysia reveals significant dependencyin 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, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Vanuatu demonstrates competitive strength in exportingcocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted to Malaysia, 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 $29.21M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Vanuatu-Malaysia Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $29.21 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Vanuatu maintains a deficit of $25.23 million
  • Export Focus: Vanuatu's primary exports include cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, copra, vegetable oils: coconut (copra) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Malaysia 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, iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced during the rolling process or twisted after rolling, automatic data processing machines: comprising in the same housing at least a central processing unit and an input and output unit, whether or not combined, n.e.c. in item no. 8471.30

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 $29.21M 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 cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted.

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

Vanuatu's specialization in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedcomplements Malaysia's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly 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.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $29.21M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $29.21M 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 $29.21 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted and 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 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Vanuatu's trade deficit of $25.23 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 copra present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on 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, 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 cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted 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 Vanuatu and Malaysia represents a total trade volume of $29.21 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Vanuatu, with imports exceeding exportsby $25.23 million.

Export Strengths

Vanuatu's exports to Malaysia total $1.99 million, with competitive advantages in cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted, representing $1.81M or91.2% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Malaysia amount to $27.22 million, highlighting economic interdependence 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, 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 comprising79.3% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Vanuatu's strategic sourcing from Malaysia. 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 Malaysia in multiple formats.

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