Navigator
Bahamas
(information)
Population as of 2020: 395,800 169 of 193
highest next higher next lower lowest
Region: Caribbean Islands
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $15.83 billion 139 of 193
highest next higher next lower lowest
Top Exports
Total exports: **~$689 million (goods, incl. re-exports)**
**Highly unusual structure:** large share of **re-exports (~70%+)**, meaning many goods are **not domestically produced**
| Rank | Export Category | Notes |
| ---- | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1 | **Refined petroleum products** ⭐ | Largest export (~25%) |
| 2 | **Printed materials (banknotes, stamps, documents)** | Surprisingly large (~20%) |
| 3 | **Ships & boats (incl. dredgers, platforms)** | Major re-export category |
| 4 | **Seafood (lobster, crustaceans)** | Key domestic export |
| 5 | **Plastics & plastic products** | Industrial/export processing |
| 6 | **Salt & mineral products (aragonite, stone)** | Traditional export |
| 7 | **Chemicals & pharmaceuticals** | Includes niche exports |
| 8 | **Machinery & mechanical equipment** | Often re-exported |
| 9 | **Electrical equipment** | Small but present |
| 10 | **Iron & steel products** | Minor industrial exports |
Key individual export products (by value)
| Rank | Product | Notes |
| ---- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 11 | **Petroleum oils (non-crude)** | #1 export (~$170M+) |
| 12 | **Banknotes / financial paper products** | #2 export (~$137M) |
| 13 | **Dredgers & specialized ships** | High-value exports (~$80M+) |
| 14 | **Passenger/cargo ships** | Ship-related exports (often re-exports) |
| 15 | **Frozen lobster & crustaceans** | Major seafood export (~$60M+) |
| 16 | **Expansible polystyrene (plastics)** | Industrial material |
| 17 | **Salt (solar salt)** | Traditional export |
| 18 | **Aragonite (calcium carbonate)** | Unique mineral export |
| 19 | **Pharmaceutical/chemical products** | Small but notable |
| 20 | **Fish and marine products** | Includes conch and reef fish |
Key Takeaways
* 🛢️ **Petroleum products dominate goods exports**
* Refined fuels are the **largest single export category**
* 🔁 **Re-exports dominate the economy**
* About **70%+ of exports are re-exports**, not domestically produced
* 🚢 **Shipping and maritime activity is important**
* Ships and marine equipment are major high-value exports
* 🦞 **Seafood is the main “true” domestic export**
* Especially:
* lobster
* conch
* fish
* 🧾 **Unusual export: banknotes & financial paper**
* A niche but significant export category
* ⚠️ **Small and service-heavy economy**
* Goods exports are relatively small because:
* tourism and services dominate the economy
Top Importers of the Bahamas’ Exports (2024)
| Rank | Country | Notes |
| ---- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1 | **United States** | By far the largest partner (~70%+); fuels, seafood, and re-exports. |
| 2 | **Switzerland** | Financial goods and specialized exports (incl. printed materials). |
| 3 | **United Kingdom** | Seafood and niche exports. |
| 4 | **Panama** | Maritime-related trade and ship transactions. |
| 5 | **Dominican Republic** | Regional trade partner. |
| 6 | **Jamaica** | Regional Caribbean trade. |
| 7 | **Canada** | Seafood and marine exports. |
| 8 | **Mexico** | Fuel and regional trade links. |
| 9 | **Netherlands** | EU trade hub (re-exports). |
| 10 | **Germany** | Industrial and niche imports. |
Key Patterns
* 🇺🇸 **United States dominates overwhelmingly**
* Takes **the vast majority of exports (~70%+)**
* Reflects:
* geographic proximity
* strong economic integration
* tourism and logistics links
* 🔁 **Re-export structure shapes partners**
* Countries like **Switzerland, Netherlands, Panama** appear due to:
* financial goods
* shipping
* trade hub activity
* 🦞 **Seafood flows to North America & Europe**
* Lobster and fish go mainly to:
* **U.S.**
* **Canada**
* **UK**
* 🌍 **Regional Caribbean trade exists**
* Trade with:
* **Jamaica**
* **Dominican Republic**
