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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Botswana

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Botswana in 2023 — 16.21%. Ranked 56 in the world out of 160. Since 2000, the indicator has risen by 2.2 pp.

2023 16.21% +2.91 pp vs 2022
World rank 56of 160
Period maximum 16.21%2023
Period minimum 7.77%2014

Trend over time

2000–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Botswana, 2000–20237.51012.51517.52000200320062009201220152018202120232000: 14.01%2001: 13.92%2002: 15.48%2003: 13.87%2004: 14.37%2005: 13.82%2006: 13.73%2007: 13.13%2008: 11.97%2009: 13.06%2010: 14.58%2011: 9.75%2012: 8.82%2013: 8.15%2014: 7.77%2015: 8.75%2016: 11.05%2017: 12.54%2018: 12.2%2019: 12.67%2020: 12.66%2021: 11.4%2022: 13.3%2023: 16.21%
Change over the period: +2.2 pp Annual average: 0.1 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Botswana 16.21%
World 8.68%
Sub-Saharan Africa 12.18%
Southern Africa computed 7.48%
Upper-middle-income countries computed 8.69%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Botswana, by year Botswana All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 16.21 +2.91 pp
2022 13.3 +1.9 pp
2021 11.4 −1.26 pp
2020 12.66 −0 pp
2019 12.67 +0.47 pp
2018 12.2 −0.34 pp
2017 12.54 +1.49 pp
2016 11.05 +2.3 pp
2015 8.75 +0.97 pp
2014 7.77 −0.38 pp
2013 8.15 −0.66 pp
2012 8.82 −0.93 pp
2011 9.75 −4.83 pp
2010 14.58 +1.52 pp
2009 13.06 +1.1 pp
2008 11.97 −1.16 pp
2007 13.13 −0.6 pp
2006 13.73 −0.1 pp
2005 13.82 −0.54 pp
2004 14.37 +0.5 pp
2003 13.87 −1.62 pp
2002 15.48 +1.57 pp
2001 13.92 −0.09 pp
2000 14.01 —

Southern Africa, 2023

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

LS Lesotho 22.51 SZ Eswatini 19.58 BW Botswana 16.21 NA Namibia 13.51 ZA South Africa 6.32
Full table for all countries

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.

Other indicators for Botswana

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

Botswana by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

What part of merchandise imports a country spends on oil, gas and coal.

Botswana by year Nutrition Food insecurity

The share of people who at least once during the year lacked money or access to food.

Botswana by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Botswana by year
All indicators for Botswana