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The twenty imports Ireland is best placed to replace.

Ireland imported USD 115bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 231bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 3.9bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
391products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
412products Ireland already exports well
1121product 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 Ireland already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Ireland 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 Ireland does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 61%, 160 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOdoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or... (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 187m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 116m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 428m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 428mup 22% on 2022
  2. 2

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 64%, 93 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks... (exports USD 131m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 128m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 90m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 252m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 252mup 37% on 2022
  3. 3

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 63%, 102 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 953m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 62m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 28m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 190m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 190mup 30% on 2022
  4. 4

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 63%, 94 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOdoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or... (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 180m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 180mup 32% on 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 62%, 72 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement, concrete or artificial stone: building blocks or bricks...
    Exports of this lineUSD 75m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 112m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 174m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 174mup 33% on 2022
  6. 6

    Food preparations: obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal productsHS 190410

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 79%, 69 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 36m
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 157m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 157mup 15% on 2022
  7. 7

    VodkaHS 220860

    Comes fromUnited States 91%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWhiskies (exports USD 932m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 77m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 151m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); United States supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 151mfrom USD 16m in 2022
  8. 8

    Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91HS 490199

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 66%, 148 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNewspapers, journals and periodicals: whether or not illustrated or... (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 24m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 29m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 143m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 143mup 24% on 2022
  9. 9

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromUnited States 70%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: storage units (exports USD 1.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 155m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 526m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); United States supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 526mup 33% on 2022
  10. 10

    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 63%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding (exports USD 282m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 330m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Argentina supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 330mdown 18% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 47%, 62 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding (exports USD 282m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 204m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 260m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 260mdown 3% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 65%, 99 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 25m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 66m
    Countries that export it well52

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 191m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United Kingdom supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 191mup 50% on 2022
  13. 13

    Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozenHS 200410

    Comes fromNetherlands 46%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJuice: orange, not frozen, of a Brix value not exceeding 20... (exports USD 99m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 178m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Netherlands supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 178mup 48% on 2022
  14. 14

    Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of...HS 382100

    Comes fromUnited States 43%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthReagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared... (exports USD 2.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 164m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); United States supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 164mup 3% on 2022
  15. 15

    Hair preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3305HS 330590

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 75%, 121 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOdoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or... (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 50m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 132m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 132mup 34% on 2022
  16. 16

    Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined...HS 391732

    Comes fromUnited States 77%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.c.... (exports USD 236m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 51m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 202m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 127m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); United States supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 127mup 41% on 2022
  17. 17

    Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710

    Comes fromNetherlands 77%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWhiskies (exports USD 932m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 95m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Netherlands supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 95mup 65% on 2022
  18. 18

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520

    Comes fromNorway 71%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, animal or vegetable: whether or not mixed together or... (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 72m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Norway supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 83mdown 65% on 2022
  19. 19

    Food preparations: mixes and doughs for the preparation of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' waresHS 190120

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 40%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 80m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); United Kingdom supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 80mup 50% on 2022
  20. 20

    Paints and varnishes: based on polymers n.e.c. in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumHS 320890

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 70%, 51 source countries
    Nearest export strengthColouring matter of vegetable or animal origin, including dyeing... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 67m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ireland's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 67mup 39% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Ireland 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.

  • Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding... imports USD 11bn, exports USD 7.0bn, top source United States 63%
  • Cyclic amides (including cyclic carbamates) and their derivatives: other than... imports USD 818m, exports USD 106m, top source China 53%
  • Photographic plates and film: exposed and developed, other than... imports USD 466m, exports USD 60m, top source United States 99%
  • Orthopaedic or fracture appliances imports USD 495m, exports USD 145m, top source Mexico 74%
  • Automatic data processing machines: presented in the form of systems, n.e.c.... imports USD 353m, exports USD 205m, top source Poland 53%
  • Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the... imports USD 292m, exports USD 148m, top source Thailand 31%
  • Machinery: for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2 imports USD 315m, exports USD 250m, top source United States 36%
  • Alkaloids: caffeine and its salts imports USD 47m, exports USD 8m, top source Germany 64%
  • Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, (other... imports USD 122m, exports USD 84m, top source Switzerland 76%
  • Oils, essential: of orange (terpeneless or not), including concretes and... imports USD 58m, exports USD 25m, top source United States 47%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1121 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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