Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Democratic Republic of the Congo

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023 — 4.77%. Ranked 156 in the world out of 160. Since 1962, the indicator has fallen by 20.89 pp.

2023 4.77% −3.13 pp vs 2022
World rank 156of 160
Period maximum 25.66%1962
Period minimum 4.77%2023

Trend over time

1962–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1962–2023010203019621969197619831990199720042011201820231962: 25.66%1965: 19.39%1970: 15.68%1972: 15.75%1973: 18.22%1974: 21.47%1975: 16.97%1976: 21.16%1977: 16.93%1978: 20.67%1985: 20.64%1986: 20.55%2015: 14.13%2016: 15.21%2017: 13.4%2018: 8.55%2019: 7.66%2020: 9.34%2021: 10.88%2022: 7.9%2023: 4.77%
Change over the period: −20.89 pp Annual average: -0.34 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.77%
World 8.68%
Middle Africa computed 11.99%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Democratic Republic of the Congo, by year Democratic Republic of the Congo All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 4.77 −3.13 pp
2022 7.9 −2.98 pp
2021 10.88 +1.55 pp
2020 9.34 +1.68 pp
2019 7.66 −0.89 pp
2018 8.55 −4.85 pp
2017 13.4 −1.81 pp
2016 15.21 +1.07 pp
2015 14.13
1986 20.55 −0.09 pp
1985 20.64
1978 20.67 +3.74 pp
1977 16.93 −4.23 pp
1976 21.16 +4.19 pp
1975 16.97 −4.51 pp
1974 21.47 +3.25 pp
1973 18.22 +2.48 pp
1972 15.75
1970 15.68
1965 19.39
1962 25.66

Middle Africa, 2023

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.