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The twenty imports Greece is best placed to replace.

Greece imported USD 60bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 30bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 4.1bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
242products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
999products Greece already exports well
974product 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 Greece already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Greece 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 Greece 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 fromEgypt 82%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the two fertilizing... (exports USD 104m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 116m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Egypt supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 116mdown 37% on 2022
  2. 2

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromIreland 81%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for... (exports USD 260m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 62m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 186m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 186mup 38% on 2022
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromRepublic of the Congo 45%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: tubes and pipes, of refined copper (exports USD 618m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 722m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Republic of the Congo supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 722mup 2% on 2022
  4. 4

    Ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204HS 720449

    Comes fromUnited States 25%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 138m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 56m
    Countries that export it well67

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 290m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 290mdown 31% on 2022
  5. 5

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Comes fromSpain 16%, 77 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBlouses, shirts and shirt-blouses: women's or girls', of man-made... (exports USD 26m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 60m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 47m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 207m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2).

    USD 207mup 2% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromGermany 38%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 196m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2).

    USD 196mdown 16% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromTurkey 52%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 138m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 165m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 189m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 189mdown 17% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromGermany 43%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: n.e.c. in heading no. 8716 (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 140m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 138m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Germany supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 138mup 125% on 2022
  9. 9

    Flours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebratesHS 230120

    Comes fromMorocco 23%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding (exports USD 93m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 130m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2).

    USD 130mdown 15% on 2022
  10. 10

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620342

    Comes fromSpain 18%, 61 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGarments: men's or boys', n.e.c. in item no. 6210.2, of the fabrics... (exports USD 63m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 43m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 116m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2).

    USD 116mup 2% on 2022
  11. 11

    Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 611020

    Comes fromSpain 23%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBlouses, shirts and shirt-blouses: women's or girls', of man-made... (exports USD 26m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 116m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 112m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 112mdown 4% on 2022
  12. 12

    Electrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling capacity exceeding 10,000kVAHS 850423

    Comes fromChina 72%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts (exports USD 386m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 353k; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 468m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 83mup 92% on 2022
  13. 13

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853720

    Comes fromChina 69%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts (exports USD 386m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 73m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 82m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 82mup 189% on 2022
  14. 14

    WhiskiesHS 220830

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 65%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 101m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 101m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 75m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); United Kingdom supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 75mup 10% on 2022
  15. 15

    Tugs and pusher craftHS 890400

    Comes fromTurkey 71%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally... (exports USD 70m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 64mfrom USD 8m in 2022
  16. 16

    Electric generating sets: (excluding those with spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion piston...HS 850239

    Comes fromUnited States 93%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts (exports USD 386m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 228m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 52m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); United States supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 52mup 64% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedHS 180100

    Comes fromNetherlands 72%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Netherlands supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 34mup 355% on 2022
  18. 18

    Aluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed)HS 760110

    Comes fromIndia 28%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm... (exports USD 1.0bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 786m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1).

    USD 786mdown 8% on 2022
  19. 19

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Comes fromGermany 21%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: n.e.c. in heading no. 8716 (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 59m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 311m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 279m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 279mdown 3% on 2022
  20. 20

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

    Comes fromUnited States 15%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive)... (exports USD 208m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 24m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 294m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 255m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Greece's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1).

    USD 255mdown 11% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Greece 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.

  • Aluminium: waste and scrap imports USD 316m, exports USD 87m, top source Spain 11%
  • Copper: waste and scrap imports USD 329m, exports USD 183m, top source Germany 14%
  • Aluminium: unwrought, alloys imports USD 467m, exports USD 348m, top source Bahrain 26%
  • Motorboats: (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other... imports USD 142m, exports USD 30m, top source Turkey 31%
  • Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other... imports USD 147m, exports USD 54m, top source Romania 24%
  • Lead: unwrought, refined imports USD 107m, exports USD 19m, top source Bulgaria 52%
  • Motorboats: (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other... imports USD 122m, exports USD 36m, top source Turkey 32%
  • Medicaments: (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their... imports USD 116m, exports USD 40m, top source Germany 87%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 110m, exports USD 37m, top source Italy 25%
  • Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules... imports USD 169m, exports USD 103m, top source Italy 28%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 974 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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