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The twenty imports Tunisia is best placed to replace.

Tunisia imported USD 19bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 19bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
103products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
821products Tunisia already exports well
387product 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 Tunisia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Tunisia 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 Tunisia 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 fromAlgeria 49%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 706k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 33m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 168m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Algeria supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 168mup 162% on 2022
  2. 2

    Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including...HS 410712

    Comes fromItaly 84%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, whether or... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 935k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 64m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Italy supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 30% on 2022
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromItaly 53%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 122m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 242m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Italy supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 242mup 313% on 2022
  4. 4

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2...HS 520942

    Comes fromTurkey 32%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 162m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2).

    USD 162mup 7% on 2022
  5. 5

    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 fromIndia 49%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 79m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 90m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 161m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); India supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 161mfrom USD 46k in 2022
  6. 6

    Aluminium: unwrought, alloysHS 760120

    Comes fromBahrain 62%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: articles n.e.c. in heading 7616 (exports USD 51m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 61m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Bahrain supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 61mup 34% on 2022
  7. 7

    Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or strippedHS 240120

    Comes fromBrazil 42%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCigarettes: containing tobacco (exports USD 23m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 48mfrom USD 4m in 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870331

    Comes fromFrance 78%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicle parts: steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes... (exports USD 337m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 113k; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 907m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 47m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); France supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 47mup 105% on 2022
  9. 9

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromFrance 61%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOils, essential: n.e.c. in heading no. 3301 (terpeneless or not)... (exports USD 21m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); France supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 30% 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 fromFrance 25%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPharmaceutical goods: first aid boxes and kits (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 80m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 63m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 330m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1).

    USD 330mup 74% on 2022
  11. 11

    Sulphur of all kinds: other than sublimed, precipitated and colloidal sulphurHS 250300

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 53%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 103m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); United Arab Emirates supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 68mdown 32% on 2022
  12. 12

    Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392310

    Comes fromFrance 25%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 411m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 77m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2).

    USD 44mdown 5% on 2022
  13. 13

    Plastics: tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)HS 391740

    Comes fromFrance 41%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 411m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 46m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); France supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 41mdown 21% on 2022
  14. 14

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromFinland 40%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTableware and kitchenware, of wood: not of bamboo or tropical wood (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Finland supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 39mdown 11% on 2022
  15. 15

    Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and...HS 481159

    Comes fromTurkey 66%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTissue, towel, napkin stock or similar: for household or sanitary... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 35mdown 13% on 2022
  16. 16

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04,and other than those made of wool...HS 600690

    Comes fromFrance 55%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: narrow woven fabrics, n.e.c. in heading no. 5806, of cotton...
    Exports of this lineUSD 40k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 84m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); France supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 32mup 7% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cast iron: tubes, pipes and hollow profilesHS 730300

    Comes fromChina 83%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326 (exports USD 107m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 107k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 31mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  18. 18

    Fluorspar: containing by weight more than 97% of calcium fluorideHS 252922

    Comes fromMexico 94%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 103m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 26mfrom USD 1m in 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromItaly 52%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTissue, towel, napkin stock or similar: for household or sanitary... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well46

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Italy supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 24mdown 34% on 2022
  20. 20

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromChina 85%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 79m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 194k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 21m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tunisia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 9% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Tunisia 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.

  • Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the... imports USD 311m, exports USD 198m, top source France 27%
  • Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting... imports USD 315m, exports USD 218m, top source France 30%
  • Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts imports USD 153m, exports USD 75m, top source Germany 50%
  • Cigarettes: containing tobacco imports USD 73m, exports USD 23m, top source Serbia 53%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, other kinds including mixtures... imports USD 50m, exports USD 976k, top source Russia 99%
  • Clothing: worn, and other worn articles imports USD 60m, exports USD 11m, top source Italy 30%
  • Clothing accessories: other than those of heading no. 6212 (not knitted or... imports USD 42m, exports USD 3m, top source Italy 50%
  • Clothing: parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of... imports USD 38m, exports USD 5m, top source China 32%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, 3-thread or... imports USD 35m, exports USD 2m, top source France 34%
  • Flax: hackled or otherwise processed, but not spun imports USD 29m, exports USD 896k, top source France 74%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 387 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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