US–Bahamas Trade (1999 Data): Petroleum Out, Pharma In
Note: 1999 data (latest cited in source). Patterns persist but values shifted.
US Exports to Bahamas (1999: $1.3B)
| Product | Share |
|---|
| Petroleum gases | 15% |
| Distillate fuel oil | 13% |
| Gasoline | 9% |
| Passenger vehicles | 8% |
| Aircraft parts | 7% |
Essentially: energy + vehicles + aviation support. Bahamas has no refining; imports all fuel. Tourism drives vehicle/aircraft demand.
US Imports from Bahamas (1999: $160M)
| Product | Share |
|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | 25% |
| Fish | 16% |
| Refined petroleum | 12% |
| Cement | 10% |
| Electric generator parts | 8% |
Pharma = transshipment/manufacturing (Pfizer, Bristol-Myers had ops). Fish = spiny lobster, conch, snapper. Cement = Bahamas cement plant (now closed).
Modern Context (2023 est.)
- US exports ~$3.5B: refined petroleum, cars, aircraft, machinery, food.
- US imports ~$400M: pharmaceuticals, fish, rum, salt (solar), electrical components.
- Trade surplus: US +$3B.
- Bahamas: 80% GDP from tourism/finance. US = 85% import source.
Relationship: US sells energy/goods; Bahamas sells services (tourism, finance) + niche goods. No FTA—WTO terms.
Wanderlust World