Importer opportunity guide
Explore Kiribati's import market by product, supplier concentration, demand growth, and sourcing gaps. Use reported market size and calculated indicators to decide where deeper supplier research may be useful.
Kiribati import opportunities
Compare market size and growth with supplier concentration. A large market may still need product, quality, tariff, logistics, and buyer validation.
Largest market shown
$14.7M of latest reported imports and $27.6M of calculated three-year opportunity.
Current import base
Kiribati recorded $266.9M in imports in 2024, with a three-year change of +12.6%.
How to use the guide
Start with the highest-value products, then review supplier concentration and market conditions before choosing a sourcing route.
Import market overview
This page separates reported import observations from calculated indicators so market size is not mistaken for a guaranteed sourcing opportunity.
Kiribati imports products from suppliers across major trade regions. The current profile reports $266.9M of imports in 2024, while the opportunity view highlights product and supplier combinations where market demand and supply context may justify further research.
Use the opportunity table to compare product market size, demand growth, supplier counts, concentration, and projected imports. High concentration can indicate reliance on a small supplier base; it can also reflect specialized products that require careful validation.
Top import opportunities
The top 50 screened products are ranked by calculated three-year opportunity. Reported market values and calculated indicators are labeled separately.
| Rank | Product | Market size | Demand growth | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Projected imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS 121190Plants and parts (including seeds and fruits) n.e.c. in heading no. 1211, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered | $14.7MLatest imports | +31.2% | 10 | 9234 | VUTStable | $28.7M |
| 2 | HS 271012Product description unavailable | $13.7MLatest imports | +7.3% | 10 | 3415 | SGPGrowing | $16.9M |
| 3 | HS 020714Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen | $6.1MLatest imports | +13.8% | 6 | 4811 | AUSGrowing | $9.1M |
| 4 | HS 240319Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion | $7.7MLatest imports | +8.2% | 7 | 3716 | DNKGrowing | $9.7M |
| 5 | HS 392690Plastics: other articles n.e.s. in chapter 39 | $3.2MLatest imports | +15.6% | 21 | 8595 | CHNStable | $5.0M |
| 6 | HS 271091Product description unavailable | $2.3MLatest imports | +43.0% | 4 | 9986 | SGPDeclining | $4.5M |
| 7 | HS 890200Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels: for processing or preserving fishery products | $3.5MLatest imports | +7.2% | 1 | 10000 | CHNDeclining | $4.4M |
| 8 | HS 121299Vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots, chicorium intybus sativum variety): n.e.c. in chapter 12, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, ground or unground, primarily for human consumption | $2.4MLatest imports | +21.1% | 3 | 9959 | VUTDeclining | $4.2M |
| 9 | HS 110100Wheat or meslin flour | $3.8MLatest imports | +5.4% | 8 | 6405 | FJIDeclining | $4.4M |
| 10 | HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $9.8MLatest imports | +5.5% | 11 | 2083 | CHNGrowing | $11.5M |
| 11 | HS 170114Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $6.6MLatest imports | +9.2% | 9 | 2429 | THAStable | $8.5M |
| 12 | HS 490110Printed matter: in single sheets, whether or not folded | $1.9MLatest imports | +29.1% | 12 | 6972 | FJIDeclining | $3.7M |
| 13 | HS 854140Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light emitting diodes | $2.2MLatest imports | +15.9% | 11 | 7827 | CHNStable | $3.4M |
| 14 | HS 890400Tugs and pusher craft | $3.6MLatest imports | +16.4% | 2 | 5000 | CHNDeclining | $5.7M |
| 15 | HS 560811Twine, cordage or rope: fishing nets, made up, of man made textile materials | $2.4MLatest imports | +16.0% | 6 | 6105 | TWNSlowing | $3.8M |
| 16 | HS 760110Aluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed) | $1.7MLatest imports | +60.6% | 3 | 6549 | INDAccelerating | $3.4M |
| 17 | HS 840999Engines: parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition) | $2.2MLatest imports | +15.2% | 13 | 5964 | KORGrowing | $3.4M |
| 18 | HS 870322Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc | $1.8MLatest imports | +13.1% | 6 | 9286 | JPNSlowing | $2.7M |
| 19 | HS 190590Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products | $2.4MLatest imports | +10.9% | 12 | 6270 | FJIDeclining | $3.2M |
| 20 | HS 871120Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars: side-cars | $2.5MLatest imports | +14.8% | 8 | 4877 | CHNDeclining | $3.7M |
| 21 | HS 940690Buildings: prefabricated, not of wood | $2.0MLatest imports | +38.1% | 9 | 4993 | CHNDeclining | $3.8M |
| 22 | HS 848790Machinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in chapter 84 | $1.7MLatest imports | +35.5% | 8 | 6032 | CHNStable | $3.3M |
| 23 | HS 160250Meat preparations: of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations) | $3.6MLatest imports | +4.0% | 9 | 4035 | AUSStable | $4.0M |
| 24 | HS 190230Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise prepared | $4.7MLatest imports | +13.4% | 19 | 2087 | FJIAccelerating | $6.9M |
| 25 | HS 961900Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies and similar articles, of any material | $2.0MLatest imports | +14.9% | 13 | 5014 | CHNGrowing | $3.0M |
| 26 | HS 250100Salt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride whether or not in aqueous solution: sea water | $1.8MLatest imports | +13.8% | 11 | 6325 | CHNSlowing | $2.6M |
| 27 | HS 220300Beer: made from malt | $3.4MLatest imports | +5.5% | 16 | 2357 | SGPDeclining | $4.0M |
| 28 | HS 160413Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | $1.8MLatest imports | +23.4% | 10 | 3032 | CHNDeclining | $3.3M |
| 29 | HS 870421Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1 | $2.1MLatest imports | +9.8% | 9 | 4035 | JPNDeclining | $2.7M |
| 30 | HS 271112Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane | $1.0MLatest imports | +38.6% | 5 | 6738 | NZLStable | $2.0M |
| 31 | HS 160249Meat preparations: of swine, meat or meat offal (including mixtures), prepared or preserved, n.e.c. in heading no. 1602 | $1.6MLatest imports | +10.8% | 10 | 5342 | CHNDeclining | $2.1M |
| 32 | HS 970110Paintings, drawings and pastels: executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906 | $725.9KLatest imports | +30.2% | 3 | 9942 | ANDAccelerating | $1.4M |
| 33 | HS 890399Yachts and other vessels: for pleasure or sports, rowing boats and canoes, n.e.s. in heading no. 8903, other than inflatable | $1.1MLatest imports | +12.5% | 7 | 7763 | CHNDeclining | $1.5M |
| 34 | HS 730890Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.s. in heading no. 7308 | $1.8MLatest imports | +7.4% | 13 | 4136 | CHNDeclining | $2.3M |
| 35 | HS 271019Product description unavailable | $2.9MLatest imports | +3.1% | 17 | 2650 | TWNGrowing | $3.2M |
| 36 | HS 870323Vehicles: spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity exceeding 1500cc but not exceeding 3000cc | $1.2MLatest imports | +11.1% | 7 | 6775 | JPNStable | $1.6M |
| 37 | HS 847920Machinery: for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable fats or oils | $677.4KLatest imports | +25.5% | 2 | 9426 | INDAccelerating | $1.3M |
| 38 | HS 870210Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more passengers), compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) | $1.7MLatest imports | +6.9% | 6 | 4079 | JPNStable | $2.1M |
| 39 | HS 731210Iron or steel: stranded wire, ropes and cables, not electrically insulated | $1.3MLatest imports | +15.6% | 10 | 4156 | JPNDeclining | $2.0M |
| 40 | HS 271113Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes | $1.1MLatest imports | +20.7% | 7 | 4263 | CHNGrowing | $2.0M |
| 41 | HS 160414Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | $792.2KLatest imports | +21.5% | 13 | 6474 | THADeclining | $1.4M |
| 42 | HS 851718Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1 | $790.2KLatest imports | +16.1% | 14 | 8192 | FJIDeclining | $1.2M |
| 43 | HS 190219Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise prepared | $913.1KLatest imports | +11.7% | 12 | 6599 | FJIDeclining | $1.3M |
| 44 | HS 040790Birds' eggs, in shell: preserved or cooked | $521.0KLatest imports | +37.8% | 2 | 8948 | FJIDeclining | $1.0M |
| 45 | HS 630900Clothing: worn, and other worn articles | $1.3MLatest imports | +7.9% | 9 | 4161 | AUSDeclining | $1.6M |
| 46 | HS 850760Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square) | $581.7KLatest imports | +17.8% | 7 | 9804 | CHNGrowing | $951.8K |
| 47 | HS 392590Plastics: builders' ware, n.e.s. or included in heading no. 3925 | $644.3KLatest imports | +14.4% | 5 | 9523 | CHNGrowing | $964.1K |
| 48 | HS 870422Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 20 tonnes), nes in item no 8704.1 | $1.5MLatest imports | +6.7% | 5 | 3537 | JPNStable | $1.9M |
| 49 | HS 840290Boilers: parts of steam or other vapour generating boilers | $618.6KLatest imports | +14.7% | 3 | 9870 | FJIGrowing | $934.7K |
| 50 | HS 160415Fish preparations: mackerel, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | $1.2MLatest imports | +6.3% | 8 | 4541 | CHNDeclining | $1.5M |
Showing the five highest-ranked products on mobile. View the complete import opportunity data.
Product sectors
HS2 sectors group the screened products into broader families for an easier first comparison.
| Sector | Products | Market size | Opportunity | Average growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil seeds and oleaginous fruitsHS2 12 | 2 | $17.1M | $31.8M | +26.2% |
| HS2 sector 00HS2 00 | 3 | $18.9M | $14.2M | +17.8% |
| VehiclesHS2 87 | 6 | $10.8M | $10.2M | +10.4% |
| ShipsHS2 89 | 3 | $8.2M | $8.6M | +12.0% |
| Prepared meat and fishHS2 16 | 5 | $8.9M | $7.7M | +13.2% |
| MachineryHS2 84 | 4 | $5.2M | $7.2M | +22.7% |
| Meat and edible meat offalHS2 02 | 1 | $6.1M | $5.9M | +13.8% |
| Preparations of cerealsHS2 19 | 3 | $8.0M | $5.7M | +12.0% |
| PlasticsHS2 39 | 2 | $3.9M | $5.6M | +15.0% |
| TobaccoHS2 24 | 1 | $7.7M | $5.1M | +8.2% |
| Electrical equipmentHS2 85 | 3 | $3.6M | $5.1M | +16.6% |
| Milling productsHS2 11 | 1 | $3.8M | $3.5M | +5.4% |
Supply gaps
The concentration index helps identify products where reported imports rely more heavily on a smaller supplier base. It is a screening signal, not a recommendation by itself.
| Product | Market size | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Share gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 890200Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels: for processing or preserving fishery products | $3.5M | 1 | 10000 | CHN | 99.5% |
| HS 271091Product description unavailable | $2.3M | 4 | 9986 | SGP | 99.9% |
| HS 121299Vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots, chicorium intybus sativum variety): n.e.c. in chapter 12, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, ground or unground, primarily for human consumption | $2.4M | 3 | 9959 | VUT | 99.8% |
| HS 970110Paintings, drawings and pastels: executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906 | $725.9K | 3 | 9942 | AND | 99.7% |
| HS 840290Boilers: parts of steam or other vapour generating boilers | $618.6K | 3 | 9870 | FJI | 99.3% |
| HS 850760Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square) | $581.7K | 7 | 9804 | CHN | 99.0% |
| HS 392590Plastics: builders' ware, n.e.s. or included in heading no. 3925 | $644.3K | 5 | 9523 | CHN | 97.6% |
| HS 847920Machinery: for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable fats or oils | $677.4K | 2 | 9426 | IND | 94.1% |
Supplier landscape
These supplier names come from the leading peer signal in the screened opportunity rows and should be validated at product level.
CHN
18 screened products
$39.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsVUT
2 screened products
$31.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFJI
8 screened products
$15.2MCalculated opportunity across these rowsSGP
3 screened products
$14.6MCalculated opportunity across these rowsAUS
3 screened products
$9.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsJPN
6 screened products
$8.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsDNK
1 screened products
$5.1MCalculated opportunity across these rowsTHA
2 screened products
$4.5MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFrequently asked questions
Definitions and practical guidance for interpreting market size, growth, suppliers, and concentration.
They are product and supplier combinations in Kiribati's screened import market with substantial reported demand and calculated opportunity indicators. They are research priorities, not guaranteed savings or supply contracts.
The concentration index indicates how much reported imports rely on a smaller supplier base. A high value can suggest supply dependence, but it can also reflect specialized products or limited reporting.
Start with products that fit your specification and volume needs, then validate suppliers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and continuity for Kiribati.
Data source
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.
