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The twenty imports Spain is best placed to replace.

Spain imported USD 331bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 304bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 14bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
80products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
2109products Spain already exports well
8,818public purchases of goods joined to a product family, from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU)
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

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

This edition carries public buyers from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 31,383 award notices from 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, joined to each product's customs heading through a crosswalk we authored. The buyers are shown as context and do not change the score, because award values in these records include framework ceilings and outliers that would distort it. The regional layer (where the capability sits) is built only where a country publishes regional trade by product, and Spain does not publish it in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or shipsHS 854430

    Comes fromMorocco 79%, 69 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 870m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Public buyers in the family22 awards from 15 buyers. Most frequent: ENDESA, S.A. y todas las sociedades y establecimientos permanentes del Grupo ENEL radicados en España y Portugal

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.8bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 2.8bnup 40% on 2022
  2. 2

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromFrance 49%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 82m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 700m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); France supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 700mup 35% on 2022
  3. 3

    Shirts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620520

    Comes fromMorocco 22%, 107 source countries
    Nearest export strengthShirts: men's or boys', of textile materials n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 148m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 78m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 416m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2).

    USD 416mup 4% on 2022
  4. 4

    Rubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gaskets, washers and other seals, of non-cellular rubberHS 401693

    Comes fromMorocco 48%, 98 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), articles n.e.c. in... (exports USD 468m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 214m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 366m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 366mup 83% on 2022
  5. 5

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromEgypt 49%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 68m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 339m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Egypt supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 339mdown 51% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromGermany 44%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from... (exports USD 81m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 42m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 333m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); Germany supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 333mup 23% on 2022
  7. 7

    Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acidsHS 280920

    Comes fromMorocco 72%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 12m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 223m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 223mdown 25% on 2022
  8. 8

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Comes fromGermany 20%, 138 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.2bn; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 128m
    Public buyers in the family90 awards from 60 buyers. Most frequent: Agencia De Emergencias De Andalucia

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 12% on 2022
  9. 9

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromGermany 24%, 105 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: relays, for a voltage exceeding 60 volts (exports USD 137m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 983m
    Public buyers in the family32 awards from 20 buyers. Most frequent: Dirección General de Racionalización y Centralización de la Contratación-Junta de Contratación Centralizada

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1).

    USD 1.5bnup 5% on 2022
  10. 10

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromPoland 39%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 57m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 1.1bndown 9% on 2022
  11. 11

    Seats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor vehicles as determined by the ministerHS 940199

    Comes fromMorocco 38%, 67 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 302m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 828m
    Public buyers in the family274 awards from 126 buyers. Most frequent: Dirección General de Racionalización y Centralización de la Contratación-Junta de Contratación Centralizada

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 983m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1).

    USD 983mup 2% on 2022
  12. 12

    Engines: parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition)HS 840999

    Comes fromGermany 30%, 111 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: parts (e.g. boards, panels, consoles, desks... (exports USD 257m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 549m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 630m
    Public buyers in the family84 awards from 35 buyers. Most frequent: Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid, S.A.

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 737m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 737mup 11% on 2022
  13. 13

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690

    Comes fromItaly 27%, 79 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from... (exports USD 81m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 300m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 121m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 482m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1).

    USD 482mup 22% on 2022
  14. 14

    Coats: men's or boys', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks (including ski-jackets) and similar...HS 620140

    Comes fromChina 28%, 99 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: women's or girls', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes... (exports USD 470m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 204m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 26m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 417m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1).

    USD 417mdown 15% on 2022
  15. 15

    Plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not...HS 392020

    Comes fromPortugal 32%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive)... (exports USD 626m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 180m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 619m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 417m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1).

    USD 417mdown 21% on 2022
  16. 16

    Textiles: made up articles (including dress patterns), n.e.c. in chapter 63, n.e.c. in heading no. 6307HS 630790

    Comes fromChina 38%, 101 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDresses: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted (exports USD 83m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 115m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 84m
    Public buyers in the family1 award from 1 buyer. Most frequent: Ajuntament de Sant Feliu de Guíxols

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 373m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 373mdown 13% on 2022
  17. 17

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of synthetic fibres (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620343

    Comes fromChina 18%, 100 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or... (exports USD 359m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 124m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 292m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 288m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1).

    USD 288mdown 11% on 2022
  18. 18

    Shirts: men's or boys', of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610510

    Comes fromBangladesh 31%, 95 source countries
    Nearest export strengthShirts: men's or boys', of textile materials n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 80m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 267m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 267mup 3% on 2022
  19. 19

    Trailers, semi-trailers and other vehicles not mechanically propelled: parts thereof for heading no. 8716HS 871690

    Comes fromGermany 49%, 61 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 (exports USD 4.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 117m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 130m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 260m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Germany supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 260mdown 6% on 2022
  20. 20

    Electrical apparatus: automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853620

    Comes fromFrance 44%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: parts (e.g. boards, panels, consoles, desks... (exports USD 257m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 115m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 853m
    Public buyers in the family44 awards from 18 buyers. Most frequent: Endesa S.A. y todas las sociedades y establecimientos permanentes del Grupo ENEL radicados en España y Portugal

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 239m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Spain's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); France supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 239mdown 20% 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 Spain 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.

  • T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted imports USD 1.7bn, exports USD 837m, top source Bangladesh 40%
  • Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of... imports USD 2.3bn, exports USD 1.4bn, top source Germany 29%
  • Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereof imports USD 2.3bn, exports USD 1.6bn, top source Germany 39%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated)... imports USD 1.3bn, exports USD 597m, top source Vietnam 20%
  • Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or... imports USD 1.4bn, exports USD 769m, top source Germany 41%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of... imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 595m, top source Bangladesh 32%
  • Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made... imports USD 1.3bn, exports USD 805m, top source China 41%
  • Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition... imports USD 1.5bn, exports USD 1.0bn, top source Belgium 29%
  • T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton)... imports USD 751m, exports USD 268m, top source Turkey 17%
  • Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and... imports USD 1.1bn, exports USD 619m, top source China 38%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2380 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.

Public buyers, context only, never scored: 31,383 award notices from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, of which 11,496 were classified by the buyer as goods and 8,818 joined to a product family through a crosswalk we authored, because no official one exists. Only notices whose code names a specific product group are joined; broad division codes are left out. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the counts are a floor.

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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