Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — China

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in China in 2024 — 8.11%. Ranked 110 in the world out of 131. Since 1984, the indicator has fallen by 0.92 pp.

2024 8.11% −0.88 pp vs 2023
World rank 110of 131
Period maximum 9.03%1984
Period minimum 2.87%1993

Trend over time

1984–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — China, 1984–202402.557.510198419881992199620002004200820122016202020241984: 9.03%1985: 4.1%1986: 4.39%1987: 7.34%1992: 4.89%1993: 2.87%1994: 4.39%1995: 6.99%1996: 5.9%1997: 5.04%1998: 4.77%1999: 4.06%2000: 4.14%2001: 3.98%2002: 3.53%2003: 3.86%2004: 4.04%2005: 3.56%2006: 3.19%2007: 3.72%2008: 4.76%2009: 4.92%2010: 4.62%2011: 4.65%2012: 5.41%2013: 5.5%2014: 5.82%2015: 6.66%2016: 6.8%2017: 6.61%2018: 6.19%2019: 7.03%2020: 8.21%2021: 8.12%2022: 8.51%2023: 8.98%2024: 8.11%
Change over the period: −0.92 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

China 8.11%
World 8.89%
Eastern Asia computed 7.4%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — China, by year China All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 8.11 −0.88 pp
2023 8.98 +0.47 pp
2022 8.51 +0.39 pp
2021 8.12 −0.09 pp
2020 8.21 +1.18 pp
2019 7.03 +0.84 pp
2018 6.19 −0.42 pp
2017 6.61 −0.19 pp
2016 6.8 +0.14 pp
2015 6.66 +0.84 pp
2014 5.82 +0.32 pp
2013 5.5 +0.09 pp
2012 5.41 +0.75 pp
2011 4.65 +0.03 pp
2010 4.62 −0.3 pp
2009 4.92 +0.16 pp
2008 4.76 +1.04 pp
2007 3.72 +0.53 pp
2006 3.19 −0.37 pp
2005 3.56 −0.48 pp
2004 4.04 +0.18 pp
2003 3.86 +0.33 pp
2002 3.53 −0.45 pp
2001 3.98 −0.16 pp
2000 4.14 +0.08 pp
1999 4.06 −0.71 pp
1998 4.77 −0.28 pp
1997 5.04 −0.86 pp
1996 5.9 −1.09 pp
1995 6.99 +2.6 pp
1994 4.39 +1.52 pp
1993 2.87 −2.02 pp
1992 4.89
1987 7.34 +2.94 pp
1986 4.39 +0.3 pp
1985 4.1 −4.93 pp
1984 9.03

Eastern Asia, 2024

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

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.