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The twenty imports Uruguay is best placed to replace.

Uruguay imported USD 10bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 2.9bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.0bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
57products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
311products Uruguay already exports well
209product 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 Uruguay already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Uruguay 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 Uruguay does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromBrazil 87%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 440m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 129k; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 414m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 202mup 44% on 2022
  2. 2

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

    Comes fromAlgeria 48%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 189k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 131m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Algeria supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 131mdown 48% on 2022
  3. 3

    Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feedingHS 230910

    Comes fromBrazil 50%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 54mup 12% on 2022
  4. 4

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular...HS 730661

    Comes fromBrazil 75%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 18% on 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromArgentina 61%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWashing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 148k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 30mdown 7% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromBrazil 75%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 338k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 20mdown 3% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromUnited States 19%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins... (exports USD 9m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 90m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 44m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 185mup 25% on 2022
  8. 8

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromSpain 29%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 60m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2).

    USD 60mdown 41% on 2022
  9. 9

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

    Comes fromArgentina 44%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 160m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 42m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 42mup 24% on 2022
  10. 10

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromBrazil 52%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 37mup 30% on 2022
  11. 11

    Seeders, planters and transplanters: no-till direct seeders, planters and transplantersHS 843231

    Comes fromUnited States 73%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSpreaders and distributors: for manure and fertilizers, for... (exports USD 243k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 79k
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); United States supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 23mdown 13% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105HS 310590

    Comes fromIsrael 73%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaints and varnishes: based on polymers n.e.c. in heading no. 3208... (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 406k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 112m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Israel supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 22mdown 23% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromBrazil 47%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 76k
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 46 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 19mup 14% on 2022
  14. 14

    Medium density fibreboard (MDF), of a thickness exceeding 9 mmHS 441114

    Comes fromArgentina 69%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 77 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 7% on 2022
  15. 15

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

    Comes fromArgentina 96%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 83 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 16% on 2022
  16. 16

    Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozenHS 200410

    Comes fromArgentina 54%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 49k
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 47m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); Argentina supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 47mup 59% on 2022
  17. 17

    Furniture: wooden, for bedroom useHS 940350

    Comes fromBrazil 91%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 49m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 45% on 2022
  18. 18

    Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 940161

    Comes fromBrazil 62%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSeats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor... (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 25k
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 34 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 23mup 17% on 2022
  19. 19

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

    Comes fromArgentina 40%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: mixes and doughs for the preparation of bread... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 22mup 43% on 2022
  20. 20

    Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030

    Comes fromChina 60%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFibres: waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of... (exports USD 302k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 231k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uruguay's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 21mdown 0% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Uruguay 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.

  • Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than... imports USD 130m, exports USD 16m, top source China 59%
  • Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this... imports USD 40m, exports USD 15m, top source Argentina 34%
  • Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or... imports USD 22m, exports USD 6m, top source Brazil 77%
  • Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or... imports USD 18m, exports USD 1m, top source Finland 81%
  • Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding imports USD 39m, exports USD 23m, top source Turkey 34%
  • Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of... imports USD 29m, exports USD 17m, top source Brazil 54%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: phosphatic, superphosphates, other than... imports USD 16m, exports USD 5m, top source China 70%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 28m, exports USD 18m, top source Argentina 36%
  • Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c.... imports USD 14m, exports USD 8m, top source Spain 44%
  • Plastics: articles for the conveyance or packing of goods n.e.c. in heading... imports USD 14m, exports USD 11m, top source Argentina 50%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 209 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 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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What Uruguay buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into Uruguay.

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