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The twenty imports El Salvador is best placed to replace.

El Salvador imported USD 12bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 5.8bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 769mthe twenty, imported in 2024
35products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
645products El Salvador already exports well
247product 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 El Salvador already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in El Salvador 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 El Salvador does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 69%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the... (exports USD 174m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 154m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 154mdown 24% on 2022
  2. 2

    Cotton: not carded or combedHS 520100

    Comes fromUnited States 98%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 27m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 142k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 93m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); United States supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 93mdown 23% on 2022
  3. 3

    Clothing: worn, and other worn articlesHS 630900

    Comes fromUnited States 97%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurnishing articles: of synthetic fibres, not knitted or crocheted... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 59m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); United States supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 59mdown 14% on 2022
  4. 4

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 78%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle)... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 41mup 46% on 2022
  5. 5

    Aluminium: casks, drums, cans, boxes and the like for any material (not compressed or liquefied gas), 300l capacity or...HS 761290

    Comes fromGuatemala 97%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: waste and scrap (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 41k
    Countries that export it well42

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Guatemala supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 41mup 7% on 2022
  6. 6

    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 87%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 35m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 65k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 36mdown 28% on 2022
  7. 7

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromMexico 89%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJackets and blazers: men's or boys', of textile materials n.e.c. in...
    Exports of this lineUSD 107k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Mexico supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 2% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromMexico 43%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBrooms, brushes, mops, feather dusters, squeegees, hand operated... (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 252k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 62m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 62mup 8% on 2022
  9. 9

    Cement: hydraulic kinds n.e.c. in heading no. 2523HS 252390

    Comes fromGuatemala 100%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Guatemala supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 139% on 2022
  10. 10

    Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chlorideHS 391723

    Comes fromGuatemala 91%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the... (exports USD 174m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 66k
    Countries that export it well42

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 53 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Guatemala supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 18mdown 19% on 2022
  11. 11

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Comes fromGuatemala 70%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether... (exports USD 119m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 64 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); Guatemala supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 15mup 34% on 2022
  12. 12

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620462

    Comes fromChina 46%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or... (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 96 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); China supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 10mup 2% on 2022
  13. 13

    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 fromGuatemala 40%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic roofing tiles (exports USD 305k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 35k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 32m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 42m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1).

    USD 42mup 4% on 2022
  14. 14

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromJapan 52%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: n.e.c. in heading no. 8716 (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 745k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Japan supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 31mdown 11% on 2022
  15. 15

    Electric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines, including separators, whether or not...HS 850710

    Comes fromMexico 56%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 116m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 232k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 31mup 32% on 2022
  16. 16

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

    Comes fromHonduras 46%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: marquetry and inlaid wood, caskets and cases for jewellery or... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Honduras supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 27mup 0% on 2022
  17. 17

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442

    Comes fromChina 40%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 116m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 962k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 43m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 47 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 21mup 34% on 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromRussia 64%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 57 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Russia supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 17mdown 48% on 2022
  19. 19

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Comes fromChina 68%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle)... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 68 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 15mup 8% on 2022
  20. 20

    Aluminium: unwrought, alloysHS 760120

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: waste and scrap (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 234k
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 70 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to El Salvador's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); United Arab Emirates supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 1% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products El Salvador 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.

  • Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no.... imports USD 364m, exports USD 161m, top source Guatemala 16%
  • Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 imports USD 257m, exports USD 85m, top source Costa Rica 26%
  • Yarn: (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely... imports USD 67m, exports USD 12m, top source United States 90%
  • Extracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations with a basis... imports USD 56m, exports USD 2m, top source Mexico 36%
  • Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded... imports USD 50m, exports USD 742k, top source Honduras 62%
  • Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings imports USD 74m, exports USD 28m, top source United States 32%
  • Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding imports USD 57m, exports USD 16m, top source Guatemala 33%
  • Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for... imports USD 41m, exports USD 3m, top source Nicaragua 35%
  • Steel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7225... imports USD 67m, exports USD 29m, top source South Korea 98%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated... imports USD 46m, exports USD 11m, top source China 58%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 247 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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