Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Cuba

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Cuba in 2022 — 25.21%. Ranked 15 in the world out of 163. Since 1989, the indicator has risen by 13.19 pp.

2022 25.21% −1.41 pp vs 2021
World rank 15of 163
Period maximum 26.62%2021
Period minimum 11.92%2006

Trend over time

1989–2022 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Cuba, 1989–202210152025301989199319972001200520092013201720211989: 12.02%1999: 19.38%2000: 15.79%2001: 17.59%2002: 20.34%2003: 22.02%2004: 21.56%2005: 20.07%2006: 11.92%2016: 20.32%2017: 20.98%2018: 19.48%2019: 22.45%2020: 25.95%2021: 26.62%2022: 25.21%
Change over the period: +13.19 pp Annual average: 0.4 pp

Comparison, 2022

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

Cuba 25.21%
World 8.29%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Cuba, by year Cuba All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2022 25.21 −1.41 pp
2021 26.62 +0.67 pp
2020 25.95 +3.5 pp
2019 22.45 +2.97 pp
2018 19.48 −1.5 pp
2017 20.98 +0.65 pp
2016 20.32
2006 11.92 −8.15 pp
2005 20.07 −1.49 pp
2004 21.56 −0.46 pp
2003 22.02 +1.69 pp
2002 20.34 +2.75 pp
2001 17.59 +1.8 pp
2000 15.79 −3.58 pp
1999 19.38
1989 12.02

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.