Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Benin

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Benin in 2024 — 33.27%. Ranked 2 in the world out of 131. Since 1962, the indicator has risen by 6.9 pp.

2024 33.27% +0.53 pp vs 2023
World rank 2of 131
Period maximum 52.31%2017
Period minimum 17.16%1971

Trend over time

1962–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Benin, 1962–2024020406019621969197619831990199720042011201820241962: 26.37%1963: 22.63%1964: 24.37%1965: 22.8%1966: 24.69%1967: 21.84%1968: 21.8%1969: 19.56%1970: 17.82%1971: 17.16%1972: 20.94%1973: 21.83%1974: 17.85%1979: 23.42%1980: 26.27%1982: 24.92%1998: 24.84%1999: 22.97%2000: 21.87%2001: 20.36%2002: 23.88%2003: 24.21%2004: 24.57%2005: 29.94%2006: 30.68%2007: 31.16%2008: 36.14%2009: 31.09%2010: 38.64%2011: 33.92%2012: 37.89%2013: 40.33%2014: 45.85%2015: 40.2%2016: 50.49%2017: 52.31%2018: 46.92%2019: 38.44%2020: 32.93%2021: 35.12%2022: 30%2023: 32.74%2024: 33.27%
Change over the period: +6.9 pp Annual average: 0.11 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Benin

Benin 33.27%
World 8.89%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Benin, by year Benin All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 33.27 +0.53 pp
2023 32.74 +2.74 pp
2022 30 −5.12 pp
2021 35.12 +2.19 pp
2020 32.93 −5.51 pp
2019 38.44 −8.48 pp
2018 46.92 −5.39 pp
2017 52.31 +1.82 pp
2016 50.49 +10.29 pp
2015 40.2 −5.65 pp
2014 45.85 +5.52 pp
2013 40.33 +2.44 pp
2012 37.89 +3.97 pp
2011 33.92 −4.72 pp
2010 38.64 +7.55 pp
2009 31.09 −5.04 pp
2008 36.14 +4.98 pp
2007 31.16 +0.48 pp
2006 30.68 +0.74 pp
2005 29.94 +5.38 pp
2004 24.57 +0.35 pp
2003 24.21 +0.34 pp
2002 23.88 +3.52 pp
2001 20.36 −1.51 pp
2000 21.87 −1.1 pp
1999 22.97 −1.87 pp
1998 24.84
1982 24.92
1980 26.27 +2.84 pp
1979 23.42
1974 17.85 −3.98 pp
1973 21.83 +0.89 pp
1972 20.94 +3.78 pp
1971 17.16 −0.66 pp
1970 17.82 −1.75 pp
1969 19.56 −2.24 pp
1968 21.8 −0.03 pp
1967 21.84 −2.85 pp
1966 24.69 +1.9 pp
1965 22.8 −1.58 pp
1964 24.37 +1.74 pp
1963 22.63 −3.73 pp
1962 26.37

About the indicator

The share of food in merchandise imports. The indicator reads as a measure of food dependence, but with a caveat: a high share occurs both in rich countries with little agriculture, where food is simply a large item of consumption, and in the poorest ones, where it means vulnerability to world grain prices. Comparing it with food insecurity and with the share of agriculture in the economy helps tell the two cases apart.

Important: A high value is not in itself a sign of trouble: in Singapore and Japan the share is high while the food supply is entirely secure. It is worth looking at together with food insecurity.

Source: UNCTADstat (UNCTAD), license CC BY 3.0 IGO.