Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Haiti

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Haiti in 2016 — 37.26%. Ranked 5 in the world out of 174. Since 1970, the indicator has risen by 16.45 pp.

2016 37.26% +4.95 pp vs 2014
World rank 5of 174
Period maximum 37.26%2016
Period minimum 20.81%1970

Trend over time

1970–2016 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Haiti, 1970–2016202530354019701975198019851990199520002005201020151970: 20.81%1971: 24.11%1972: 25.56%1973: 24.94%1974: 24.02%1975: 28.72%1976: 30.9%1977: 27.84%1978: 25.63%1979: 23.57%1981: 26.1%2014: 32.31%2016: 37.26%
Change over the period: +16.45 pp Annual average: 0.36 pp

Comparison, 2016

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

Haiti 37.26%
World 8.7%
Low-income countries computed 19.99%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Haiti, by year Haiti All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2016 37.26
2014 32.31
1981 26.1
1979 23.57 −2.06 pp
1978 25.63 −2.21 pp
1977 27.84 −3.06 pp
1976 30.9 +2.17 pp
1975 28.72 +4.7 pp
1974 24.02 −0.92 pp
1973 24.94 −0.63 pp
1972 25.56 +1.46 pp
1971 24.11 +3.29 pp
1970 20.81

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.