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The twenty imports Saudi Arabia is best placed to replace.

Saudi Arabia imported USD 181bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 79bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 16bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
705products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
289products Saudi Arabia already exports well
1615product 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 Saudi Arabia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar formsHS 720310

    Comes fromOman 73%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly... (exports USD 123m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 37m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Oman supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bndown 50% on 2022
  2. 2

    Aluminium: unwrought, alloysHS 760120

    Comes fromBahrain 87%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed) (exports USD 689m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 125m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 391m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Bahrain supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 391mup 1% on 2022
  3. 3

    Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 50%, 84 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEngines: for aircraft, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary... (exports USD 482m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 107m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 544m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); United Arab Emirates supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 1.5bnup 165% on 2022
  4. 4

    Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added...HS 170113

    Comes fromBrazil 100%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing... (exports USD 594m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 30k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 881m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnup 135% on 2022
  5. 5

    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 80%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 257k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 706m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 706mup 18% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720719

    Comes fromOman 91%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly... (exports USD 123m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 553m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 355m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Oman supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 355mdown 50% on 2022
  7. 7

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, bridges and bridge-sectionsHS 730810

    Comes fromBahrain 85%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): seamless, line pipe of a kind... (exports USD 208m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 308m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Bahrain supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 308mup 71% on 2022
  8. 8

    Carpets and other textile floor coverings: woven, (not tufted or flocked), of man-made textile materials, of pile...HS 570242

    Comes fromTurkey 92%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCarpets and other textile floor coverings: tufted, of nylon or other... (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 260m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Turkey supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 260mdown 12% on 2022
  9. 9

    Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, butene (butylene) and isomers thereofHS 290123

    Comes fromBelgium 83%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol) (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 118m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Belgium supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 118mdown 5% on 2022
  10. 10

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgHS 880240

    Comes fromIndia 57%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGround flying trainers and parts thereof: other than air combat... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.5bn; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 158m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.7bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); India supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 2.7bnup 109% on 2022
  11. 11

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromEgypt 30%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 1.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 44m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 2.1bnup 66% on 2022
  12. 12

    Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehiclesHS 871000

    Comes fromCanada 87%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709 (exports USD 113m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 986m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Canada supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 986mup 46% on 2022
  13. 13

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromChina 56%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709 (exports USD 113m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 834m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 834mup 327% on 2022
  14. 14

    Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730

    Comes fromUnited States 65%, 57 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGround flying trainers and parts thereof: other than air combat... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 199m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 116m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 713m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 713mup 95% on 2022
  15. 15

    Ammunition: n.e.c. in chapter 93HS 930690

    Comes fromUnited States 64%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 92m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 529m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); United States supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 529mup 69% on 2022
  16. 16

    Medicaments: containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300410

    Comes fromGermany 46%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement, concrete or artificial stone: building blocks or bricks...
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 4.9bn
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 507m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Germany supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 507mup 200% on 2022
  17. 17

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Comes fromChina 70%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEngines: for aircraft, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary... (exports USD 482m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 39m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 575m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 492m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 492mdown 11% on 2022
  18. 18

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870332

    Comes fromThailand 72%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709 (exports USD 113m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 318k; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 21bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 420m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 420mup 36% on 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromUnited States 31%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709 (exports USD 113m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 2.6bn
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 357m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 357mdown 14% on 2022
  20. 20

    Buildings: modular building units, of steelHS 940620

    Comes fromMalaysia 74%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 545m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 332m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Saudi Arabia's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 332mfrom USD 10m in 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Saudi Arabia 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.

  • Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks imports USD 6.8bn, exports USD 4.3bn, top source China 78%
  • Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzene imports USD 659m, exports USD 171m, top source India 95%
  • Iron or steel: angles, shapes and sections, welded imports USD 129m, exports USD 9m, top source Luxembourg 33%
  • Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015 imports USD 124m, exports USD 51m, top source United States 59%
  • Hair preparations: shampoos imports USD 167m, exports USD 96m, top source United Arab Emirates 46%
  • Glass fibres: n.e.c. in heading no. 7019 imports USD 129m, exports USD 63m, top source United States 48%
  • Tractors: single axle imports USD 81m, exports USD 17m, top source Japan 21%
  • Tools, interchangeable: rock drilling or earth boring tools, with working part... imports USD 103m, exports USD 42m, top source United States 47%
  • Reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations... imports USD 138m, exports USD 79m, top source United States 23%
  • Wood, tropical: white lauan, white meranti, white seraya, yellow meranti and... imports USD 56m, exports USD 3m, top source Austria 46%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1615 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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