Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Guinea-Bissau

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Guinea-Bissau in 2018 — 41.71%. Ranked 3 in the world out of 174. Since 1970, the indicator has risen by 10.59 pp.

2018 41.71% −4.31 pp vs 2017
World rank 3of 174
Period maximum 62.42%2003
Period minimum 27.96%1976

Trend over time

1970–2018 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Guinea-Bissau, 1970–2018203040506070197019751980198519901995200020052010201520181970: 31.13%1971: 37.6%1972: 34.15%1975: 36.1%1976: 27.96%2003: 62.42%2004: 39.18%2005: 50.69%2014: 40.56%2015: 50.45%2016: 46.11%2017: 46.02%2018: 41.71%
Change over the period: +10.59 pp Annual average: 0.22 pp

Comparison, 2018

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau 41.71%
World 8.11%
Western Africa computed 17.63%
Low-income countries computed 19.33%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Guinea-Bissau, by year Guinea-Bissau All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2018 41.71 −4.31 pp
2017 46.02 −0.09 pp
2016 46.11 −4.34 pp
2015 50.45 +9.9 pp
2014 40.56
2005 50.69 +11.51 pp
2004 39.18 −23.23 pp
2003 62.42
1976 27.96 −8.14 pp
1975 36.1
1972 34.15 −3.45 pp
1971 37.6 +6.47 pp
1970 31.13

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.