Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Iraq

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Iraq in 2014 — 7.2%. Ranked 148 in the world out of 170. Since 1963, the indicator has fallen by 14.24 pp.

2014 7.2% +3.32 pp vs 2008
World rank 148of 170
Period maximum 28.68%1974
Period minimum 1.08%2001

Trend over time

1963–2014 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Iraq, 1963–2014010203019631969197519811987199319992005201120141963: 21.44%1972: 19.62%1973: 23.96%1974: 28.68%1975: 17.51%1976: 14.94%2000: 1.53%2001: 1.08%2002: 1.56%2007: 18.76%2008: 3.88%2014: 7.2%
Change over the period: −14.24 pp Annual average: -0.28 pp

Comparison, 2014

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

Iraq 7.2%
World 7.96%
Western Asia computed 9.25%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Iraq, by year Iraq All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2014 7.2
2008 3.88 −14.89 pp
2007 18.76
2002 1.56 +0.48 pp
2001 1.08 −0.46 pp
2000 1.53
1976 14.94 −2.57 pp
1975 17.51 −11.17 pp
1974 28.68 +4.72 pp
1973 23.96 +4.34 pp
1972 19.62
1963 21.44

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.