Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lebanon

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Lebanon in 2024 — 18.55%. Ranked 30 in the world out of 131. Since 1967, the indicator has fallen by 11.82 pp.

2024 18.55% +2.29 pp vs 2023
World rank 30of 131
Period maximum 30.37%1967
Period minimum 13.92%2008

Trend over time

1967–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lebanon, 1967–2024101520253035196719731979198519911997200320092015202120241967: 30.37%1968: 27.11%1969: 23.95%1970: 25.07%1971: 23.54%1972: 20.1%1973: 18.23%1977: 22.09%1997: 19.42%1998: 19.67%1999: 19.28%2000: 17.77%2001: 16.95%2002: 18.72%2003: 18.08%2004: 15.51%2005: 14.84%2006: 15%2007: 16.08%2008: 13.92%2009: 14.92%2010: 15.58%2011: 15.44%2012: 15.27%2013: 15.82%2014: 17.28%2015: 17.58%2016: 17.14%2017: 16.77%2018: 16.81%2019: 15.89%2020: 19.78%2021: 16.5%2022: 14.03%2023: 16.26%2024: 18.55%
Change over the period: −11.82 pp Annual average: -0.21 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

Lebanon 18.55%
World 8.89%
Western Asia computed 10.66%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lebanon, by year Lebanon All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 18.55 +2.29 pp
2023 16.26 +2.24 pp
2022 14.03 −2.48 pp
2021 16.5 −3.27 pp
2020 19.78 +3.89 pp
2019 15.89 −0.92 pp
2018 16.81 +0.04 pp
2017 16.77 −0.37 pp
2016 17.14 −0.44 pp
2015 17.58 +0.3 pp
2014 17.28 +1.46 pp
2013 15.82 +0.56 pp
2012 15.27 −0.17 pp
2011 15.44 −0.14 pp
2010 15.58 +0.66 pp
2009 14.92 +1.01 pp
2008 13.92 −2.16 pp
2007 16.08 +1.08 pp
2006 15 +0.16 pp
2005 14.84 −0.67 pp
2004 15.51 −2.57 pp
2003 18.08 −0.63 pp
2002 18.72 +1.77 pp
2001 16.95 −0.82 pp
2000 17.77 −1.5 pp
1999 19.28 −0.4 pp
1998 19.67 +0.25 pp
1997 19.42
1977 22.09
1973 18.23 −1.87 pp
1972 20.1 −3.43 pp
1971 23.54 −1.53 pp
1970 25.07 +1.12 pp
1969 23.95 −3.17 pp
1968 27.11 −3.26 pp
1967 30.37

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.