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The twenty imports Tunisia is best placed to replace.

Tunisia imported USD 19bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 19bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
52products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
821products Tunisia already exports well
368product 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 Tunisia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Tunisia 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 Tunisia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromAlgeria 49%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 9m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 706k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 168m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Algeria supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 168mup 162% 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 fromIndia 49%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 90m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 161m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); India supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 161mfrom USD 46k in 2022
  3. 3

    Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including...HS 410712

    Comes fromItaly 84%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 935k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 64m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Italy supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 30% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromItaly 53%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 242m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Italy supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 242mup 313% on 2022
  5. 5

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2...HS 520942

    Comes fromTurkey 32%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton... (exports USD 942k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 162m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2).

    USD 162mup 7% on 2022
  6. 6

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870331

    Comes fromFrance 78%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicle parts: steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes... (exports USD 337m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 113k; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 907m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 47m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); France supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 47mup 105% on 2022
  7. 7

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromFrance 61%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHair preparations: shampoos (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); France supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 30% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromFrance 25%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing alkaloids or their derivatives: other than... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 80m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 63m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 330m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 330mup 74% on 2022
  9. 9

    Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392310

    Comes fromFrance 25%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive)... (exports USD 46m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 77m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 44mdown 5% on 2022
  10. 10

    Plastics: tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)HS 391740

    Comes fromFrance 41%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 3917.30 (exports USD 31m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 46m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); France supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 41mdown 21% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromFinland 40%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Finland supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 39mdown 11% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromTurkey 66%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 25 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 35mdown 13% on 2022
  13. 13

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04,and other than those made of wool...HS 600690

    Comes fromFrance 55%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: narrow woven fabrics, n.e.c. in heading no. 5806, of cotton... (exports USD 491k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 40k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 84m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); France supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 32mup 7% on 2022
  14. 14

    Cast iron: tubes, pipes and hollow profilesHS 730300

    Comes fromChina 83%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 107k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 31mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  15. 15

    Electro-mechanical domestic appliances: parts for the appliances of heading no. 8509HS 850990

    Comes fromItaly 99%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 613k
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Italy supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 12% on 2022
  16. 16

    Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboardHS 481910

    Comes fromItaly 52%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well46

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Italy supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 24mdown 34% on 2022
  17. 17

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

    Comes fromChina 85%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 79m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 194k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 21m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 9% on 2022
  18. 18

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, other than cellularHS 392190

    Comes fromTurkey 19%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1).

    USD 53mup 66% on 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromRomania 31%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1).

    USD 48mdown 5% on 2022
  20. 20

    Stoppers: caps and lids, of base metalHS 830990

    Comes fromSpain 38%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCans: which are to be closed by soldering or crimping, for any... (exports USD 13m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1).

    USD 43mup 6% 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 Tunisia 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.

  • Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the... imports USD 311m, exports USD 198m, top source France 27%
  • Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting... imports USD 315m, exports USD 218m, top source France 30%
  • Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts imports USD 153m, exports USD 75m, top source Germany 50%
  • Cigarettes: containing tobacco imports USD 73m, exports USD 23m, top source Serbia 53%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, other kinds including mixtures... imports USD 50m, exports USD 976k, top source Russia 99%
  • Clothing accessories: other than those of heading no. 6212 (not knitted or... imports USD 42m, exports USD 3m, top source Italy 50%
  • Clothing: parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of... imports USD 38m, exports USD 5m, top source China 32%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, 3-thread or... imports USD 35m, exports USD 2m, top source France 34%
  • Footwear: parts, n.e.c. in heading 6406 imports USD 55m, exports USD 28m, top source Italy 74%
  • Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less... imports USD 45m, exports USD 21m, top source China 77%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 368 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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