Embassy of the Republic of Korea
in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

ㅇ Lao PDR's trade volume in 2023 is estimated to be USD 8.37 billion in exports and USD 7.189 billion in imports, up 3.5% and 5% year-on-year, respectively, and the trade value is estimated to be USD 15.6 billion, up 3.5% year-on-year.

ㅇ 10 exported items with the highest value

- Laos' 10 exported items with the highest value were electricity ($2.38 billion), gold bullion ($730 million), paper and paper products ($467 million), gold ore ($425 million), iron ore ($411 million), potassium salt ($401 million), cassava ($333 million), rubber ($310 million), pulp and paper waste ($284 million), and sugar ($265 million).

ㅇ 10 imported items with the highest value

- Laos' 10 imported items with the highest value were diesel fuel ($952 million), mechanical equipment (except vehicle mechanics) ($606 million), land vehicles (except motorcycles and tractors) ($580 million), iron and steel products ($451 million), vehicle spare parts (including tires, mirrors, chains and other parts) ($428 million), and vehicle spare parts (tyres, mirrors, chains and other parts) (US$344 million), electrical and electronic equipment (US$314 million), plastic items (US$231 million), wood pulp and paper waste (US$224 million), and beverages (water, soft drinks and energy drinks) (US$223 million).

ㅇ Laos's trading partners

- Lao PDR's top export destinations are Thailand (US$2.88 billion), China (US$2.5 billion), Vietnam (US$1.39 billion), Australia (US$385 million), and Cambodia (US$200 million), while its top import destinations are Thailand (US$3.34 billion), China (US$2.39 billion), Vietnam (US$349 million), the United States (US$226 million), and Japan (US$159 million).

     (Vientiane Times, 3.6.)