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The twenty imports Latvia is best placed to replace.

Latvia imported USD 18bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 16bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 575mthe twenty, imported in 2024
27products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1165products Latvia already exports well
363product 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 Latvia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Latvia 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 Latvia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromPoland 23%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 356m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 79m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1).

    USD 79mup 4% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromLithuania 53%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 135m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Lithuania supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 53mdown 18% on 2022
  3. 3

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310230

    Comes fromUzbekistan 48%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 34m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 68m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Uzbekistan supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 39mdown 18% on 2022
  4. 4

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular...HS 730661

    Comes fromLithuania 30%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 (exports USD 149m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 38mdown 26% on 2022
  5. 5

    Plastics: builders' ware, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doorsHS 392520

    Comes fromPoland 86%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPoly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity... (exports USD 35m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 88 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Poland supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 47% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromLithuania 36%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCandles, tapers and the like (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1).

    USD 49mup 27% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromPoland 30%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBrushes: paint, distemper, varnish or similar brushes (not those of... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1).

    USD 39mup 10% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromLithuania 58%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 32m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 25 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Lithuania supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 35mdown 5% on 2022
  9. 9

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromEstonia 41%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass fibres: (including glass wool), yarns and slivers (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Estonia supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 30mdown 27% on 2022
  10. 10

    Slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools (including intermixtures thereof), in bulk, sheets or rollsHS 680610

    Comes fromLithuania 44%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement, concrete or artificial stone: prefabricated structural... (exports USD 40m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Lithuania supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 25mdown 15% on 2022
  11. 11

    Waters: mineral and aerated, including natural or artificial, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter...HS 220110

    Comes fromLithuania 62%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWhiskies (exports USD 229m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 50 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Lithuania supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 19mup 16% on 2022
  12. 12

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromPoland 28%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPoly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity... (exports USD 35m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1).

    USD 34mdown 17% on 2022
  13. 13

    Paper articles: handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towelsHS 481820

    Comes fromLithuania 22%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper... (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1).

    USD 24mup 9% on 2022
  14. 14

    Ammunition: cartridges and parts thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 9306HS 930630

    Comes fromSlovakia 48%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 55 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Slovakia supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 18mup 245% on 2022
  15. 15

    Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392330

    Comes fromLithuania 49%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPoly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity... (exports USD 35m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 37m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 60 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Lithuania supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 17mdown 8% on 2022
  16. 16

    Salt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride whether or not in aqueous solution: sea waterHS 250100

    Comes fromMorocco 20%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 83m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 62 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1).

    USD 16mdown 20% on 2022
  17. 17

    Stoppers: caps and lids, of base metalHS 830990

    Comes fromGermany 22%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMountings, fittings and similar articles: suitable for furniture of... (exports USD 12m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 71 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1).

    USD 15mdown 8% on 2022
  18. 18

    Paper and paperboard: sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a...HS 481940

    Comes fromLithuania 32%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper... (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 84 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1).

    USD 12mdown 11% on 2022
  19. 19

    Aluminium: alloys, bars, rods and profiles, other than hollowHS 760429

    Comes fromPoland 27%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading... (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 89 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1).

    USD 12mdown 37% on 2022
  20. 20

    Shirts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620520

    Comes fromGermany 25%, 51 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: women's or girls', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes... (exports USD 21m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 99 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Latvia's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 10mup 39% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Latvia 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 750m, exports USD 553m, top source Lithuania 30%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 229m, exports USD 94m, top source Germany 48%
  • Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks imports USD 401m, exports USD 297m, top source Lithuania 37%
  • Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding imports USD 108m, exports USD 28m, top source Lithuania 37%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 103m, exports USD 41m, top source Germany 80%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements... imports USD 86m, exports USD 34m, top source Morocco 50%
  • Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station... imports USD 98m, exports USD 57m, top source China 43%
  • Cigarettes: containing tobacco imports USD 63m, exports USD 23m, top source Poland 45%
  • Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less imports USD 83m, exports USD 47m, top source Italy 28%
  • Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or... imports USD 43m, exports USD 8m, top source United States 81%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 363 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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