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The twenty imports Egypt is best placed to replace.

Egypt imported USD 58bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 31bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 3.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
185products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
960products Egypt already exports well
906product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Egypt already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Egypt would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Egypt does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not...HS 160414

    Comes fromThailand 86%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 22k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 131m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Thailand supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 131mdown 41% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720719

    Comes fromRussia 62%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 510m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 777m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Russia supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 777mup 40% on 2022
  3. 3

    Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of polyesters, not for retail sale, not...HS 540233

    Comes fromChina 71%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of filaments of... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 578m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 221m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 221mup 15% on 2022
  4. 4

    Chassis: fitted with engines, for the motor vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705HS 870600

    Comes fromSweden 67%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 43k
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 165mup 182% on 2022
  5. 5

    Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the transmission or reception of...HS 851769

    Comes fromChina 78%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: co-axial cable and other co-axial... (exports USD 167m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 825m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 164m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 164mdown 20% on 2022
  6. 6

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale)...HS 950300

    Comes fromChina 99%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 150m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 150mup 6% on 2022
  7. 7

    Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportionHS 240319

    Comes fromPortugal 48%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: other than homogenised or reconstituted or smoking (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 537k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 145m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Portugal supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 145mup 41% on 2022
  8. 8

    Plywood: consisting only of sheets of wood (not bamboo), each ply 6mm or thinner, with at least one outer ply of...HS 441231

    Comes fromRussia 90%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 71k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 144m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); Russia supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 144mdown 28% on 2022
  9. 9

    Medium density fibreboard (MDF), of a thickness exceeding 9 mmHS 441114

    Comes fromThailand 43%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 84m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 143m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Thailand supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 143mdown 7% on 2022
  10. 10

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 82%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 285k; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 2.9bn
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 133m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 133mup 8% on 2022
  11. 11

    Carbonates: disodium carbonateHS 283620

    Comes fromTurkey 55%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 400k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 120m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Turkey supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 120mdown 30% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromJordan 96%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 314k
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 105m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Jordan supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 105mfrom USD 12m in 2022
  13. 13

    Paper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboardHS 481920

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 76%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 16m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 72m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 72mdown 8% on 2022
  14. 14

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromSweden 39%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: coniferous, split poles, piles, pickets, stakes, pointed but... (exports USD 554k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 266m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 580m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2).

    USD 580mdown 21% on 2022
  15. 15

    Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and...HS 481159

    Comes fromTurkey 32%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 129m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 120m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 120mup 8% on 2022
  16. 16

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromChina 63%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 134m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 119m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 114m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 114mdown 8% on 2022
  17. 17

    Electric motors and generators: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machines of heading no. 8501 or...HS 850300

    Comes fromChina 90%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 101m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 101mup 59% on 2022
  18. 18

    Copper: tubes and pipes, of refined copperHS 741110

    Comes fromChina 61%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 182k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 22m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 98m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 98mdown 4% on 2022
  19. 19

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442

    Comes fromChina 45%, 74 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 572m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 38m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 67m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 93m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 93mdown 3% on 2022
  20. 20

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromChina 15%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 267m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 91m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Egypt's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3).

    USD 91mdown 13% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Egypt already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Aircraft launching gear, deck-arrestor or similar gear and parts thereof imports USD 656m, exports USD 17m, top source France 30%
  • Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of... imports USD 548m, exports USD 89m, top source Saudi Arabia 71%
  • Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of... imports USD 563m, exports USD 227m, top source Saudi Arabia 62%
  • Medicaments: containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for... imports USD 328m, exports USD 21m, top source United States 32%
  • Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms imports USD 651m, exports USD 377m, top source Saudi Arabia 65%
  • Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 imports USD 375m, exports USD 151m, top source Russia 75%
  • Tobacco: other than homogenised or reconstituted or smoking imports USD 204m, exports USD 8m, top source Serbia 31%
  • Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries imports USD 305m, exports USD 137m, top source China 45%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 151m, exports USD 8m, top source India 39%
  • Fabrics: pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres... imports USD 153m, exports USD 11m, top source China 100%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 906 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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