Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Jamaica

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Jamaica in 2023 — 20.51%. Ranked 29 in the world out of 160. Since 1962, the indicator has fallen by 2.53 pp.

2023 20.51% −0.06 pp vs 2022
World rank 29of 160
Period maximum 23.85%1963
Period minimum 12.23%2008

Trend over time

1962–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Jamaica, 1962–20231015202519621969197619831990199720042011201820231962: 23.04%1963: 23.85%1972: 21.19%1973: 22.56%1974: 23.14%1975: 20.17%1976: 23.2%1977: 19.92%1978: 22.56%1979: 16.79%1980: 20.32%1981: 18.65%1982: 19.24%1983: 17.07%1984: 19.97%1985: 17.83%1986: 20.4%1987: 18.06%1991: 14.37%1992: 14.8%1993: 14.03%1994: 14%1995: 14.34%1996: 14.62%1997: 16.74%1998: 18.24%1999: 17.49%2000: 15.52%2001: 15.4%2002: 15.22%2003: 15.12%2004: 15.14%2005: 14.66%2006: 14.39%2007: 12.7%2008: 12.23%2009: 18.12%2010: 17.67%2011: 16.73%2012: 16.59%2013: 17.4%2014: 17.59%2015: 18%2016: 18.62%2017: 16.73%2018: 16.44%2019: 17.97%2020: 21.53%2021: 20.97%2022: 20.57%2023: 20.51%
Change over the period: −2.53 pp Annual average: -0.04 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Jamaica 20.51%
World 8.68%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Jamaica, by year Jamaica All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 20.51 −0.06 pp
2022 20.57 −0.4 pp
2021 20.97 −0.56 pp
2020 21.53 +3.56 pp
2019 17.97 +1.53 pp
2018 16.44 −0.28 pp
2017 16.73 −1.89 pp
2016 18.62 +0.62 pp
2015 18 +0.41 pp
2014 17.59 +0.19 pp
2013 17.4 +0.81 pp
2012 16.59 −0.13 pp
2011 16.73 −0.94 pp
2010 17.67 −0.45 pp
2009 18.12 +5.89 pp
2008 12.23 −0.47 pp
2007 12.7 −1.68 pp
2006 14.39 −0.27 pp
2005 14.66 −0.48 pp
2004 15.14 +0.02 pp
2003 15.12 −0.1 pp
2002 15.22 −0.18 pp
2001 15.4 −0.12 pp
2000 15.52 −1.97 pp
1999 17.49 −0.76 pp
1998 18.24 +1.51 pp
1997 16.74 +2.11 pp
1996 14.62 +0.28 pp
1995 14.34 +0.34 pp
1994 14 −0.03 pp
1993 14.03 −0.77 pp
1992 14.8 +0.43 pp
1991 14.37
1987 18.06 −2.34 pp
1986 20.4 +2.57 pp
1985 17.83 −2.14 pp
1984 19.97 +2.89 pp
1983 17.07 −2.17 pp
1982 19.24 +0.59 pp
1981 18.65 −1.67 pp
1980 20.32 +3.53 pp
1979 16.79 −5.77 pp
1978 22.56 +2.64 pp
1977 19.92 −3.28 pp
1976 23.2 +3.02 pp
1975 20.17 −2.97 pp
1974 23.14 +0.58 pp
1973 22.56 +1.37 pp
1972 21.19
1963 23.85 +0.81 pp
1962 23.04

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.