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The twenty imports Sri Lanka is best placed to replace.

Sri Lanka imported USD 12bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 9.5bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.6bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
52products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
756products Sri Lanka already exports well
246product 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 Sri Lanka already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromPakistan 54%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 51m
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 102m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Pakistan supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 102mup 27% on 2022
  2. 2

    Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 192.31 but not...HS 520524

    Comes fromIndia 75%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed... (exports USD 140k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 251k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 50m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 33m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); India supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 33mdown 32% on 2022
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromIndia 59%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 481k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 364m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); India supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 364mup 179% on 2022
  4. 4

    Fabrics, woven: of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of polyester staple fibres, other than...HS 551219

    Comes fromChina 76%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: of cotton, bleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2... (exports USD 110k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 695k
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 99m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 99mfrom USD 8m in 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromChina 99%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 76m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 76mdown 4% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromChina 69%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 13k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 42% on 2022
  7. 7

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 77%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 63m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); United Arab Emirates supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 63mup 6% on 2022
  8. 8

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 77%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 39mup 48% on 2022
  9. 9

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 57%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 23m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 349m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); India supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 349mup 76% on 2022
  10. 10

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

    Comes fromQatar 28%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 8k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 106m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2).

    USD 106mdown 27% on 2022
  11. 11

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording...HS 852872

    Comes fromChina 69%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 143k
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 52m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 52mup 380% on 2022
  12. 12

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690721

    Comes fromIndia 71%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); India supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 328% on 2022
  13. 13

    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 fromSouth Africa 92%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 150m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 28mup 203% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more...HS 520832

    Comes fromIndia 90%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed... (exports USD 140k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 60m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); India supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 26mdown 23% on 2022
  15. 15

    Yarn: (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not put up for retail saleHS 550953

    Comes fromVietnam 74%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 31m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 80 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Vietnam supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 23% on 2022
  16. 16

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

    Comes fromChina 60%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: of cotton, bleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2... (exports USD 110k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 50m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); China supplies 60 per cent (1).

    USD 38mup 44% on 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of...HS 721391

    Comes fromChina 31%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 9k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 7% on 2022
  18. 18

    Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with viscose rayon staple fibresHS 551511

    Comes fromIndia 64%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: plain weave, of polyester staple fibres, containing... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 994k
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 29m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); India supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 29mdown 14% on 2022
  19. 19

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, n.e.c. in heading no. 3104HS 310490

    Comes fromUzbekistan 66%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Uzbekistan supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 26mfrom USD 13k in 2022
  20. 20

    Tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than...HS 731029

    Comes fromChina 90%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 785k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sri Lanka's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 24mup 437% 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 Sri Lanka 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.

  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than... imports USD 302m, exports USD 29m, top source China 28%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 117m, exports USD 8m, top source China 41%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, of weaves... imports USD 97m, exports USD 2m, top source India 46%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 135m, exports USD 47m, top source India 67%
  • Fabrics: narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of... imports USD 98m, exports USD 21m, top source Hong Kong 34%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of... imports USD 63m, exports USD 3m, top source Pakistan 55%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 88m, exports USD 31m, top source Hong Kong 35%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or... imports USD 42m, exports USD 1m, top source China 57%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 39m, exports USD 465k, top source India 92%
  • Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of nylon or... imports USD 33m, exports USD 598k, top source Italy 48%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 246 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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