Vanuatu-Thailand Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $113.20M total volume •Vanuatu surplus: $78.70M

VanuatuThailand

$95.95M

Exports (2023)

ThailandVanuatu

$17.25M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$78.70M

Surplus for Vanuatu

Total Trade

$113.20M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

VanuatuThailand Exports

$95.95M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
70.6% top product
1Fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$67.74M
70.6% of exports
2Fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$16.29M
17.0% of exports
3Vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks
$7.00M
7.3% of exports
4Fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$3.43M
3.6% of exports
5Fish: frozen, albacore or longfinned tunas (Thunnus alalunga), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$1.43M
1.5% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Vanuatu's export portfolio to Thailand demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, 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.

ThailandVanuatu Imports

$17.25M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
39.6% concentration
1Vehicles: 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
$6.83M
39.6% of imports
2Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500cc
$3.53M
20.5% of imports
3Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
$1.06M
6.1% of imports
4Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)
$503,479
2.9% of imports
5Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500cc
$455,608
2.6% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

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

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Vanuatu demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 to Thailand, 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 $113.20M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Vanuatu-Thailand Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $113.20 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Vanuatu maintains a surplus of $78.70 million
  • Export Focus: Vanuatu's primary exports include fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Thailand include 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: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500cc, sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter

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 $113.20M 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, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, 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

1

Comparative Advantage

Vanuatu's specialization in fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99complements Thailand's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

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

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $113.20M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $113.20M 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 $113.20 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 and 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 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Vanuatu's trade surplus of $78.70 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 fish: frozen, yellowfin tunas (thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on 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, 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 fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 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 Thailand represents a total trade volume of $113.20 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Vanuatu, with exports exceeding importsby $78.70 million.

Export Strengths

Vanuatu's exports to Thailand total $95.95 million, with competitive advantages in fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, representing $67.74M or70.6% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Thailand amount to $17.25 million, highlighting economic interdependence in 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, with 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 comprising39.6% 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 Thailand in multiple formats.

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