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The twenty imports Israel is best placed to replace.

Israel imported USD 72bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 50bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 4.8bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
280products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
727products Israel already exports well
1057product 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 Israel already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Israel 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 Israel does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Photographic plates and film: exposed and developed, other than cinematographic filmHS 370500

    Comes fromUnited States 75%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPhotographic film: in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, without sprocket... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 197k
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 199m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); United States supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 199mup 11% on 2022
  2. 2

    Medicaments: containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or...HS 300439

    Comes fromDenmark 62%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in... (exports USD 1.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 109m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 402m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Denmark supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 402mup 36% on 2022
  3. 3

    Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of...HS 890110

    Comes fromSingapore 80%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels: other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other... (exports USD 66m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 34k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 79m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 234m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Singapore supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 234mup 181% on 2022
  4. 4

    Railway or tramway coaches: passenger coaches, luggage vans, post office coaches and other special purpose railway or...HS 860500

    Comes fromGermany 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 155m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Germany supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 155mup 100% on 2022
  5. 5

    WhiskiesHS 220830

    Comes fromNetherlands 43%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding more than 10 litres (exports USD 12m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 104m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 129m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Netherlands supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 129mdown 1% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromIreland 78%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for... (exports USD 236m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 65m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 121m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 121mup 4% on 2022
  7. 7

    Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in...HS 300215

    Comes fromSwitzerland 30%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in... (exports USD 1.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 116m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 317m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 886m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2).

    USD 886mup 17% on 2022
  8. 8

    Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853669

    Comes fromUnited States 42%, 57 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 7.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 287m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 235m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); United States supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 235mup 6% on 2022
  9. 9

    Railway or tramway coaches, vans and trucks: self-propelled, powered from an external source of electricity (excluding...HS 860310

    Comes fromGermany 47%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 234m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Germany supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 234mup 177% on 2022
  10. 10

    Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessoriesHS 848690

    Comes fromUnited States 38%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers (exports USD 594m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 48m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 89m
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 198m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 198mdown 24% on 2022
  11. 11

    Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 or 8537HS 853890

    Comes fromSouth Korea 54%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 7.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 55m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 27m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 185mup 116% on 2022
  12. 12

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on...HS 382219

    Comes fromGermany 28%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHerbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators... (exports USD 424m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 22m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 170m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 170mdown 29% on 2022
  13. 13

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140

    Comes fromUnited States 42%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 571m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 19m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 264m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 159m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); United States supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 159mup 14% on 2022
  14. 14

    Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499

    Comes fromUnited States 27%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHerbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators... (exports USD 424m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 58m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 29m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 128mdown 15% on 2022
  15. 15

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324

    Comes fromUnited States 51%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or... (exports USD 137m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 12 more lines in the heading, USD 6.7bn
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 113m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 113mdown 48% on 2022
  16. 16

    Cocoa: butter, fat and oilHS 180400

    Comes fromSingapore 76%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Singapore supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 83mup 197% on 2022
  17. 17

    Therapeutic respiration apparatus: ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy apparatus: artificial respiration or other...HS 901920

    Comes fromFrance 43%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in... (exports USD 1.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); France supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 64mup 69% on 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromGreece 62%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: waste and scrap (exports USD 196m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well42

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Greece supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 58mup 19% on 2022
  19. 19

    Wrist-watches: whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic windingHS 910221

    Comes fromSwitzerland 94%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 56m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Switzerland supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 56mdown 2% on 2022
  20. 20

    Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239

    Comes fromTaiwan 30%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 7.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 699m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 128m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 952m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Israel's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1).

    USD 952mdown 29% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Israel 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.

  • Ammunition: n.e.c. in chapter 93 imports USD 1.4bn, exports USD 237m, top source United States 97%
  • Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN imports USD 514m, exports USD 260m, top source United Kingdom 37%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas... imports USD 234m, exports USD 84m, top source Greece 99%
  • Optical elements: lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors and other... imports USD 154m, exports USD 54m, top source China 25%
  • Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or not fitted... imports USD 235m, exports USD 137m, top source United States 93%
  • Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... imports USD 127m, exports USD 37m, top source Singapore 34%
  • Ammunition: cartridges and parts thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 9306 imports USD 108m, exports USD 28m, top source United States 94%
  • Polycarbonates: in primary forms imports USD 106m, exports USD 28m, top source Germany 42%
  • Electrical static converters imports USD 426m, exports USD 356m, top source China 27%
  • Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing... imports USD 71m, exports USD 24m, top source United States 51%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1057 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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