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The twenty imports Sudan is best placed to replace.

Sudan imported USD 2.9bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 22m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.0bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
24products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
66products Sudan already exports well
50product 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 Sudan already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Sudan 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 Sudan does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromIndia 54%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 525m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); India supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 525mdown 44% on 2022
  2. 2

    Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, of polyethylene or...HS 630533

    Comes fromEgypt 91%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); Egypt supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 36mdown 41% on 2022
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromEgypt 55%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Egypt supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 41mfrom USD 56k in 2022
  4. 4

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Comes fromEgypt 98%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 32m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Egypt supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 24mfrom USD 3m in 2022
  5. 5

    Yeasts: activeHS 210210

    Comes fromChina 51%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 50m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); China supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 50mdown 7% on 2022
  6. 6

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 97%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 29m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 29mdown 53% on 2022
  7. 7

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 72%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUndenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80%... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 22mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  8. 8

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340119

    Comes fromEgypt 68%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits: excluding soya...
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 18m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Egypt supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 21mfrom USD 941k in 2022
  9. 9

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromEgypt 94%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMarble and travertine: having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more... (exports USD 153k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 68 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Egypt supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 14mdown 71% 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 35%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery: parts of machinery for soil preparation or cultivation or...
    Exports of this lineUSD 6k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 23m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 94m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1).

    USD 94mdown 49% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromKenya 32%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 132k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 45mup 18% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromEgypt 53%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 53k
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Egypt supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 28mup 22% on 2022
  13. 13

    Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a...HS 490700

    Comes fromChina 56%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); China supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 19mdown 68% on 2022
  14. 14

    Coats: women's or girls', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles, of textile materials...HS 620290

    Comes fromEgypt 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 94 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Egypt supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 10mfrom USD 20k in 2022
  15. 15

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 96%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 54 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 17mdown 71% on 2022
  16. 16

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromKenya 60%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWelding machines and apparatus: for resistance welding of metal... (exports USD 477k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 80 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Kenya supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 3% on 2022
  17. 17

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

    Comes fromJapan 88%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery: parts of machinery for soil preparation or cultivation or...
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 86 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Japan supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 50% on 2022
  18. 18

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromEgypt 82%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 90 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Egypt supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 11% on 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromSouth Korea 44%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWelding machines and apparatus: for resistance welding of metal... (exports USD 477k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 64 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 15mdown 61% on 2022
  20. 20

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

    Comes fromEgypt 50%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 92 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Sudan's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); Egypt supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 11mdown 63% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Sudan 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.

No line where the country already exports well and still imports more than it sells abroad.

How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 50 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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