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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in lower-middle-income countries in 2023 — 10.21%. Since 1998, the indicator has fallen by 2.72 pp.

2023 10.21% −0.41 pp vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 12.93%1998
Period minimum 8.08%2006

Trend over time

1998–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries, 1998–202381012141998200120042007201020132016201920221998: 12.93%1999: 12.84%2000: 11.32%2001: 11.84%2002: 10.95%2003: 10.65%2004: 9.33%2005: 8.42%2006: 8.08%2007: 9.36%2008: 8.6%2009: 10.04%2010: 9.74%2011: 10.37%2012: 9.67%2013: 9.96%2014: 10.56%2015: 10.79%2016: 11.3%2017: 10.93%2018: 9.74%2019: 9.81%2020: 11.68%2021: 11%2022: 10.62%2023: 10.21%
Change over the period: −2.72 pp Annual average: -0.11 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Lower-middle-income countries

Lower-middle-income countries 10.21%
World 8.68%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries, by year Lower-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 10.21 −0.41 pp
2022 10.62 −0.38 pp
2021 11 −0.68 pp
2020 11.68 +1.87 pp
2019 9.81 +0.08 pp
2018 9.74 −1.2 pp
2017 10.93 −0.37 pp
2016 11.3 +0.51 pp
2015 10.79 +0.23 pp
2014 10.56 +0.6 pp
2013 9.96 +0.29 pp
2012 9.67 −0.7 pp
2011 10.37 +0.63 pp
2010 9.74 −0.3 pp
2009 10.04 +1.44 pp
2008 8.6 −0.76 pp
2007 9.36 +1.28 pp
2006 8.08 −0.34 pp
2005 8.42 −0.91 pp
2004 9.33 −1.32 pp
2003 10.65 −0.3 pp
2002 10.95 −0.89 pp
2001 11.84 +0.53 pp
2000 11.32 −1.52 pp
1999 12.84 −0.09 pp
1998 12.93 —

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.

Other indicators for lower-middle-income countries

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

What part of merchandise imports a country spends on oil, gas and coal.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Nutrition Food insecurity

The share of people who at least once during the year lacked money or access to food.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Lower-middle-income countries by year
All indicators for lower-middle-income countries