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The twenty imports Bolivia is best placed to replace.

Bolivia imported USD 7.1bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 844m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 889mthe twenty, imported in 2024
73products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
199products Bolivia already exports well
155product 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 Bolivia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Bolivia 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 Bolivia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromBrazil 69%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper...
    Exports of this lineUSD 223k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 132m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 132mup 16% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromBrazil 55%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 27m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 77m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 77mdown 63% on 2022
  3. 3

    Nuclear reactorsHS 840110

    Comes fromRussia 95%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc... (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Russia supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 30mfrom USD 550k in 2022
  4. 4

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 62%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFluxes and other auxiliary preparations: for soldering, brazing or... (exports USD 759k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 105k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 134m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 95m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 95mdown 47% on 2022
  5. 5

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromPeru 51%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlkyd resins: in primary forms
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Peru supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 57mup 21% on 2022
  6. 6

    Sports footwear: tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like, with outer soles of rubber or...HS 640411

    Comes fromChile 63%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSports footwear: (other than ski-boots, snowboard boots or... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 52m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Chile supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 52mdown 9% on 2022
  7. 7

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromBrazil 88%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUndenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80%... (exports USD 38m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 65k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 45mup 114% on 2022
  8. 8

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromPeru 65%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEthylene polymers: waste, parings and scrap (exports USD 612k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Peru supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 28mup 3% on 2022
  9. 9

    Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a...HS 490700

    Comes fromFrance 99%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 24k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); France supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 26mfrom USD 1m in 2022
  10. 10

    Particle board of wood, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other organic binding substancesHS 441011

    Comes fromBrazil 81%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti... (exports USD 47m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 16mdown 21% on 2022
  11. 11

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not...HS 870431

    Comes fromArgentina 26%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: concrete-mixer lorries (exports USD 679k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 99m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 99mdown 31% on 2022
  12. 12

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromBrazil 78%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 43mdown 3% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromBrazil 40%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 586m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 327k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3).

    USD 37mup 0% on 2022
  14. 14

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromPeru 44%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: tablecloths and serviettes, of paper, cellulose...
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Peru supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 32mdown 36% on 2022
  15. 15

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110

    Comes fromBrazil 46%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEthylene polymers: waste, parings and scrap (exports USD 612k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 31mdown 19% on 2022
  16. 16

    Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of...HS 470329

    Comes fromBrazil 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 6% on 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611

    Comes fromChina 60%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless... (exports USD 495k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 39 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 19mdown 34% on 2022
  18. 18

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromPeru 79%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper...
    Exports of this lineUSD 390k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 55 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Peru supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 15mup 14% on 2022
  19. 19

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310230

    Comes fromChile 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not... (exports USD 140m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 59 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Chile supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 15mdown 19% on 2022
  20. 20

    Preparations with a basis of extracts, essences or concentrates or with a basis of coffeeHS 210112

    Comes fromMalaysia 85%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 51k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 66 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Bolivia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Malaysia supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 82% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Bolivia 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.

  • Electric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines... imports USD 16m, exports USD 7m, top source Brazil 39%
  • Boring and sinking machinery: not self-propelled imports USD 15m, exports USD 6m, top source China 86%
  • Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral... imports USD 15m, exports USD 6m, top source China 33%
  • Hair preparations: shampoos imports USD 13m, exports USD 5m, top source Mexico 37%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 155 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 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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