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The twenty imports North Macedonia is best placed to replace.

North Macedonia imported USD 9.3bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 8.2bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 776mthe twenty, imported in 2024
51products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
496products North Macedonia already exports well
187product 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 North Macedonia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia 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 fromAlbania 27%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width... (exports USD 115m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 492k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 78m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 78mdown 23% on 2022
  2. 2

    Leather articles: n.e.c. in chapter 42, of leather or composition leatherHS 420500

    Comes fromHungary 75%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHosiery: women's, full-length or knee-length (other than graduated...
    Exports of this lineUSD 490k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Hungary supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 57mup 31% on 2022
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromSerbia 74%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 45m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 64 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Serbia supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 15mup 69% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromSlovenia 23%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 116m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 33m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 164m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1).

    USD 164mup 22% on 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromPoland 19%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIce cream and other edible ice: whether or not containing cocoa (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 90m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 90mup 30% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromSerbia 19%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars... (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2).

    USD 54mup 47% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromUkraine 34%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugar confectionery: chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 43k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 46mup 4% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromSerbia 66%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 45m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Serbia supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 28mup 33% on 2022
  9. 9

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording...HS 852872

    Comes fromChina 64%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 721m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 13% on 2022
  10. 10

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

    Comes fromTurkey 44%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: waste and scrap (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 925k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Turkey supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 24mdown 28% on 2022
  11. 11

    Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 200520

    Comes fromSerbia 86%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVegetable preparations: vegetables and mixtures of vegetables n.e.c.... (exports USD 64m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 72 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Serbia supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 40% on 2022
  12. 12

    Lead: unwrought, refinedHS 780110

    Comes fromBulgaria 96%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthLead: articles n.e.c. in chapter 78 (exports USD 502k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 19m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 87 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Bulgaria supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 40% on 2022
  13. 13

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromGermany 35%, 67 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 102m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 40mdown 13% on 2022
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromCroatia 26%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: rear-view mirrors for vehicles (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 267k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 25mdown 3% on 2022
  15. 15

    Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus)HS 160232

    Comes fromBosnia and Herzegovina 54%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMeat preparations: sausages and similar products, of meat, meat... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Bosnia and Herzegovina supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 21mup 44% on 2022
  16. 16

    Furniture: wooden, other than for office, kitchen or bedroom useHS 940360

    Comes fromBulgaria 26%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSeats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor... (exports USD 297m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 47 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2).

    USD 19mup 27% on 2022
  17. 17

    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 fromGreece 76%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width... (exports USD 115m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 76k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 53 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Greece supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 17mdown 31% on 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromSerbia 47%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 70k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 57 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Serbia supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 16mup 10% on 2022
  19. 19

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Comes fromSerbia 55%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 364k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 58 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Serbia supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 16mup 3% on 2022
  20. 20

    Trailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type)HS 871639

    Comes fromGermany 72%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons... (exports USD 125m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 74 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to North Macedonia's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Germany supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 13% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products North Macedonia 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.

  • Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not... imports USD 197m, exports USD 46m, top source Serbia 30%
  • Ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 imports USD 89m, exports USD 19m, top source Bulgaria 77%
  • Insulating fittings: of plastics, for electrical machines, of insulating... imports USD 72m, exports USD 3m, top source Germany 34%
  • Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 imports USD 61m, exports USD 25m, top source Turkey 20%
  • Games: operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by other means of... imports USD 36m, exports USD 2m, top source Bulgaria 45%
  • Vinyl chloride polymers: monofilament, of which any cross-sectional dimension... imports USD 23m, exports USD 3m, top source Germany 37%
  • Electric accumulators: parts n.e.c. in heading no. 8507 imports USD 40m, exports USD 22m, top source Slovenia 40%
  • Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or... imports USD 19m, exports USD 3m, top source Germany 32%
  • Nonwovens: whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of... imports USD 15m, exports USD 4m, top source Italy 69%
  • Ceramic building bricks imports USD 10m, exports USD 426k, top source Serbia 84%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 187 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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