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The twenty imports Ivory Coast is best placed to replace.

Ivory Coast imported USD 11bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 6.5bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.8bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
88products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
170products Ivory Coast already exports well
221product 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 Ivory Coast already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromEgypt 65%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 32m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 224m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); Egypt supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 224mup 36% on 2022
  2. 2

    Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or strippedHS 240120

    Comes fromFrance 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not... (exports USD 61m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 110m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); France supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 110mdown 19% 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 75%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 543k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 105m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 105ma year
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromBrazil 53%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugar confectionery: chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not... (exports USD 9m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 236m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 236mup 37% on 2022
  5. 5

    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 71%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 111m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 111mdown 17% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromChina 94%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading... (exports USD 31m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 140m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 140mup 23% on 2022
  7. 7

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690723

    Comes fromGhana 87%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 391k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 62m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Ghana supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 46mup 300% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromGhana 85%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthScent sprays and similar toilet sprays, and mounts and heads therefor (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 18m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Ghana supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 45mfrom USD 5m in 2022
  9. 9

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Comes fromMorocco 97%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 39m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 715k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 52m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Morocco supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 41mup 70% on 2022
  10. 10

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

    Comes fromNetherlands 46%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Netherlands supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 38mup 20% on 2022
  11. 11

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromFrance 55%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPharmaceutical goods: first aid boxes and kits (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 81m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 236m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); France supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 236mup 29% on 2022
  12. 12

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromItaly 41%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthContainers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steel (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 28m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 127m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Italy supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 127mup 31% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 48%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of... (exports USD 44m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 40k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 154m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 77m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 77mup 20% on 2022
  14. 14

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromNetherlands 27%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs)... (exports USD 39m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 35m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 67m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 67mdown 33% on 2022
  15. 15

    Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels: for processing or preserving fishery productsHS 890200

    Comes fromNorway 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and... (exports USD 73m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Norway supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 58ma year
  16. 16

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloysHS 721061

    Comes fromChina 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 220k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 46mdown 32% on 2022
  17. 17

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: phosphatic, superphosphates, containing by weight 35% or more of diphosphorus...HS 310311

    Comes fromMorocco 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 39m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6k
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 44mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromChina 100%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of... (exports USD 44m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 182k
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 40mup 18% on 2022
  19. 19

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSenegal 49%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not... (exports USD 61m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Senegal supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 26mup 43% on 2022
  20. 20

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crochetedHS 610990

    Comes fromChina 68%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made...
    Exports of this lineUSD 18k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 78 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Ivory Coast's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 14mdown 19% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Ivory Coast 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.

  • Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goods imports USD 90m, exports USD 16m, top source Belgium 26%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 82m, exports USD 31m, top source China 65%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements... imports USD 82m, exports USD 39m, top source Morocco 88%
  • Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, containing added flavouring... imports USD 35m, exports USD 522k, top source Brazil 94%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous... imports USD 61m, exports USD 28m, top source Russia 76%
  • Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda): solid imports USD 26m, exports USD 4m, top source India 41%
  • Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track laying imports USD 27m, exports USD 6m, top source United States 26%
  • Containers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steel imports USD 25m, exports USD 7m, top source Thailand 39%
  • Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or... imports USD 20m, exports USD 4m, top source China 55%
  • Medicaments: containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading... imports USD 14m, exports USD 771k, top source India 31%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 221 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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