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The twenty imports Paraguay is best placed to replace.

Paraguay imported USD 15bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 3.0bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.4bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
117products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
258products Paraguay already exports well
266product 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 Paraguay already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Paraguay 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 Paraguay does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromBrazil 76%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUndenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80%... (exports USD 117m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 411k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 180m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 180mup 26% on 2022
  2. 2

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520

    Comes fromBrazil 81%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: in tablets or similar forms or in... (exports USD 487k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 176k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 208m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 130m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 130mdown 8% on 2022
  3. 3

    Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or strippedHS 240120

    Comes fromBrazil 70%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCigarettes: containing tobacco (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 120m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 120mup 117% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromBrazil 75%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 334m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 59m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 120m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 120mup 18% on 2022
  5. 5

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690722

    Comes fromBrazil 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic building bricks (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 35m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 35mdown 4% on 2022
  6. 6

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Comes fromChina 73%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber)... (exports USD 257k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 96k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 211m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 137m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 137mup 27% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromBrazil 46%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthYeasts: active (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 109mup 47% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromArgentina 63%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSlide fasteners: other than those fitted with chain scoops of base... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 48mup 31% on 2022
  9. 9

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

    Comes fromBolivia 76%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: in tablets or similar forms or in... (exports USD 487k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 61m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Bolivia supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 32mdown 24% on 2022
  10. 10

    Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoaHS 170490

    Comes fromBrazil 60%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in... (exports USD 25m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 60k
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 13% on 2022
  11. 11

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromCanada 36%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: in tablets or similar forms or in... (exports USD 487k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 137m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2).

    USD 137mdown 22% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromChina 65%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 334m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 86k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 68m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 71m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 71mup 20% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromChina 75%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 25m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 45mdown 20% on 2022
  14. 14

    Electric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines, including separators, whether or not...HS 850710

    Comes fromBrazil 68%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 334m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 42m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 42mup 22% on 2022
  15. 15

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not...HS 870431

    Comes fromBrazil 66%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 26k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 274m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 38mup 90% on 2022
  16. 16

    Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoaHS 190531

    Comes fromBrazil 46%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: mixes and doughs for the preparation of bread... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 46m
    Countries that export it well52

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 27 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 34mup 17% on 2022
  17. 17

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

    Comes fromArgentina 46%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 25m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 27 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 32mdown 20% on 2022
  18. 18

    Coats: men's or boys', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks (including ski-jackets) and similar...HS 620140

    Comes fromChile 77%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 304k
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Chile supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 47% on 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromBrazil 69%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars... (exports USD 13m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 6% on 2022
  20. 20

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromBrazil 60%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: parts, uppers and parts thereof, other than stiffeners (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 21m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Paraguay's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 23mup 2% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Paraguay 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.

  • Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this... imports USD 170m, exports USD 15m, top source Brazil 41%
  • Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than... imports USD 194m, exports USD 64m, top source China 53%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 109m, exports USD 16m, top source China 61%
  • Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding imports USD 62m, exports USD 12m, top source Brazil 84%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: in tablets or similar forms or in packages... imports USD 16m, exports USD 487k, top source Brazil 78%
  • Bed linen: of man-made fibres, printed, not knitted or crocheted imports USD 15m, exports USD 4m, top source Chile 92%
  • Footwear: with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, upper straps or... imports USD 11m, exports USD 965k, top source Brazil 84%
  • Organic surface-active agents: non-ionic (other than soap), whether or not put... imports USD 14m, exports USD 4m, top source Brazil 35%
  • Insecticides: containing goods specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter... imports USD 16m, exports USD 7m, top source China 66%
  • Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or... imports USD 13m, exports USD 8m, top source Argentina 24%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 266 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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