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The twenty imports Mozambique is best placed to replace.

Mozambique imported USD 8.6bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 3.3bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.2bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
66products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
202products Mozambique already exports well
163product 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 Mozambique already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Mozambique 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 Mozambique does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromSouth Africa 82%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 78m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 78mup 52% on 2022
  2. 2

    Aluminium oxide: other than artificial corundumHS 281820

    Comes fromAustralia 99%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChlorates: other than sodium (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 188m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Australia supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 188mdown 59% on 2022
  3. 3

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromOman 29%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium sulphate (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 76m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 76mdown 76% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromChina 97%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlkyd resins: in primary forms (exports USD 739k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 67m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 67mup 47% on 2022
  5. 5

    Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no....HS 340290

    Comes fromSouth Africa 96%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoap: in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11 (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 647k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 61m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 61mup 4% on 2022
  6. 6

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 36%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSands: natural, (other than silica and quartz sands), whether or not... (exports USD 105m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 671k
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 54mup 39% on 2022
  7. 7

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromSouth Africa 100%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 48mdown 2% on 2022
  8. 8

    Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboardHS 481910

    Comes fromSouth Africa 62%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWheat or meslin flour
    Exports of this lineUSD 63k
    Countries that export it well46

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 37% on 2022
  9. 9

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromSouth Africa 88%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBeer: made from malt (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 343k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 118% on 2022
  10. 10

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

    Comes fromIndia 60%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 133m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); India supplies 60 per cent (1).

    USD 133mdown 0% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromSouth Africa 49%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 596k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 64mup 44% on 2022
  12. 12

    Clothing: worn, and other worn articlesHS 630900

    Comes fromChina 59%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurnishing articles: of cotton, not knitted or crocheted (excluding... (exports USD 859k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 45k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 54mdown 41% on 2022
  13. 13

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Comes fromTurkey 77%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlkyd resins: in primary forms
    Exports of this lineUSD 384k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 49mup 307% on 2022
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromSouth Africa 61%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 111k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 44mup 8% on 2022
  15. 15

    Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, dissolving gradesHS 470200

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

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 43mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  16. 16

    Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or...HS 380891

    Comes fromChina 69%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGraphite or other carbon based preparations: in the form of pastes... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 849k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 38mup 43% on 2022
  17. 17

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

    Comes fromEswatini 88%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 373k
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Eswatini supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 37mup 59% on 2022
  18. 18

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromSouth Africa 61%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of cast iron
    Exports of this lineUSD 702k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 33m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 33mup 3% on 2022
  19. 19

    Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids: acid oils from refining: (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty...HS 382319

    Comes fromMalaysia 82%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGraphite or other carbon based preparations: in the form of pastes... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 269k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Malaysia supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 25mdown 38% on 2022
  20. 20

    Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportionHS 240319

    Comes fromZimbabwe 97%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped (exports USD 224m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 44 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mozambique's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Zimbabwe supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 21mfrom USD 161k in 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Mozambique 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.

  • Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight more than 4% of carbon imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 23m, top source South Africa 99%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... imports USD 49m, exports USD 7m, top source Saudi Arabia 36%
  • Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: n.e.c. in heading no. 8606, not... imports USD 40m, exports USD 3m, top source China 78%
  • Fibres: synthetic staple fibres, of polypropylene, not carded, combed or... imports USD 32m, exports USD 2m, top source Japan 60%
  • Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, as specified in Subheading Note 2 to... imports USD 30m, exports USD 8m, top source Zimbabwe 100%
  • Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the... imports USD 24m, exports USD 2m, top source South Africa 50%
  • Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50 imports USD 22m, exports USD 3m, top source China 44%
  • Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other... imports USD 19m, exports USD 151k, top source China 82%
  • Soap: in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11 imports USD 17m, exports USD 3m, top source Indonesia 53%
  • Aluminium: stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, (not... imports USD 11m, exports USD 2m, top source India 52%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 163 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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