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The twenty imports Ecuador is best placed to replace.

Ecuador imported USD 20bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 7.8bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 2.4bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
196products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
216products Ecuador already exports well
425product 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 Ecuador already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Ecuador 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 Ecuador does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromRussia 85%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 81m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 117m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Russia supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 117mfrom USD 15m in 2022
  2. 2

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

    Comes fromUnited States 64%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and... (exports USD 42m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 430k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 133m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 104m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 104mdown 14% on 2022
  3. 3

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromArgentina 54%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 114m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 718m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 718mup 121% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromChile 31%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthExtracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations... (exports USD 164m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 198m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3).

    USD 198mup 25% on 2022
  5. 5

    Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, unbleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802...HS 480411

    Comes fromUnited States 89%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: uncoated, fluting paper other than... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 872k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 37m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); United States supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 185mdown 24% on 2022
  6. 6

    Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and...HS 851762

    Comes fromChina 62%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling... (exports USD 34m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 661m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 162m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 162mup 25% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromChina 67%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling... (exports USD 34m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 28k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 144m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 144mup 51% on 2022
  8. 8

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Comes fromChina 65%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 101m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 108m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 108mup 49% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not...HS 721049

    Comes fromChina 98%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, alloy: wire, of materials other than silico-manganese steel (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 85m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 90m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 90mdown 18% on 2022
  10. 10

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105HS 310590

    Comes fromSpain 20%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 673k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 98m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3).

    USD 83mup 130% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromChina 67%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 992k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 227m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 71m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 71mup 8% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromColombia 57%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white... (exports USD 37m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 482k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 63m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Colombia supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 63mup 85% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromPeru 97%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 93m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 59m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Peru supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 59mup 38% on 2022
  14. 14

    Oral or dental hygiene preparations: dentifricesHS 330610

    Comes fromColombia 71%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 251k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Colombia supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 55mup 172% on 2022
  15. 15

    Flours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greavesHS 230110

    Comes fromUnited States 87%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 114m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); United States supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 54mup 10% on 2022
  16. 16

    Tissue, towel, napkin stock or similar: for household or sanitary use, cellulose, wadding webs of cellulose fibres, in...HS 480300

    Comes fromPeru 42%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: uncoated, fluting paper other than... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 279k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Peru supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 43mup 9% on 2022
  17. 17

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690722

    Comes fromPeru 56%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic sinks, wash basins, wash basin pedestals, baths, bidets... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 32m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Peru supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 40mup 5% on 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromColombia 82%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthButton moulds and other parts of buttons: button blanks (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); Colombia supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 34mdown 9% on 2022
  19. 19

    Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoaHS 190531

    Comes fromPeru 61%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJams, fruit jellies, marmalades, purees and pastes: of fruit or nuts...
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well52

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Peru supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 27mdown 5% on 2022
  20. 20

    Copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodesHS 740311

    Comes fromPeru 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 93m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Ecuador's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Peru supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 43% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Ecuador 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.

  • Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding imports USD 349m, exports USD 61m, top source Peru 62%
  • Alcohols: cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and derivatives, sterols and... imports USD 38m, exports USD 748k, top source China 79%
  • Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g... imports USD 60m, exports USD 40m, top source China 86%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or... imports USD 23m, exports USD 4m, top source China 92%
  • Cans: which are to be closed by soldering or crimping, for any material... imports USD 23m, exports USD 10m, top source Peru 87%
  • Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not... imports USD 48m, exports USD 37m, top source Colombia 57%
  • Anionic organic surface-active agents (other than soap): other than linear... imports USD 11m, exports USD 8m, top source China 44%
  • Particle board of wood, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other... imports USD 15m, exports USD 14m, top source Chile 45%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 425 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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