Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lesotho

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Lesotho in 2024 — 22.95%. Ranked 10 in the world out of 131. Since 2000, the indicator has risen by 5.34 pp.

2024 22.95% +0.44 pp vs 2023
World rank 10of 131
Period maximum 28.95%2009
Period minimum 15.62%2004

Trend over time

2000–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lesotho, 2000–2024152025302000200320062009201220152018202120242000: 17.62%2001: 27%2002: 23.06%2003: 19.34%2004: 15.62%2007: 26.06%2008: 25.48%2009: 28.95%2010: 19.65%2011: 23.34%2012: 20.35%2013: 17.99%2014: 20.65%2015: 19.93%2016: 21.23%2017: 19.45%2018: 19.06%2019: 19.82%2020: 22.05%2021: 20.67%2022: 24.02%2023: 22.51%2024: 22.95%
Change over the period: +5.34 pp Annual average: 0.22 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

Lesotho 22.95%
World 8.89%
Southern Africa computed 7.79%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lesotho, by year Lesotho All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 22.95 +0.44 pp
2023 22.51 −1.52 pp
2022 24.02 +3.35 pp
2021 20.67 −1.38 pp
2020 22.05 +2.23 pp
2019 19.82 +0.76 pp
2018 19.06 −0.39 pp
2017 19.45 −1.77 pp
2016 21.23 +1.3 pp
2015 19.93 −0.72 pp
2014 20.65 +2.66 pp
2013 17.99 −2.36 pp
2012 20.35 −3 pp
2011 23.34 +3.69 pp
2010 19.65 −9.29 pp
2009 28.95 +3.46 pp
2008 25.48 −0.57 pp
2007 26.06
2004 15.62 −3.72 pp
2003 19.34 −3.72 pp
2002 23.06 −3.95 pp
2001 27 +9.39 pp
2000 17.62

Southern Africa, 2024

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

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.