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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — OPEC

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in OPEC in 2019 — 11.1%. Since 1968, the indicator has fallen by 2.71 pp.

2019 11.1% −1.37 pp vs 2018
World rank —
Period maximum 17.59%1974
Period minimum 9.88%2006

Trend over time

1968–2019 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — OPEC, 1968–20198101214161819681974198019861992199820042010201620191968: 13.81%1969: 12.4%1970: 11.38%1971: 12.6%1972: 12.5%1973: 14.49%1974: 17.59%1975: 15.59%1976: 12.47%1977: 12.9%1978: 13.15%1979: 14.25%1980: 15.32%1981: 15.59%1982: 13.98%1983: 15.61%1984: 17.11%1986: 16.73%1987: 16.78%1998: 16.96%1999: 16.88%2000: 14.59%2001: 13.41%2002: 12.3%2003: 12.93%2004: 11.62%2006: 9.88%2007: 11.17%2008: 10.84%2009: 11.06%2010: 11.67%2011: 13.94%2013: 12.54%2014: 11.77%2015: 11.76%2016: 11.91%2017: 12.8%2018: 12.47%2019: 11.1%
Change over the period: −2.71 pp Annual average: -0.05 pp

Comparison, 2019

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

OPEC 11.1%
World 8.28%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — OPEC, by year OPEC All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2019 11.1 −1.37 pp
2018 12.47 −0.33 pp
2017 12.8 +0.89 pp
2016 11.91 +0.15 pp
2015 11.76 −0.01 pp
2014 11.77 −0.77 pp
2013 12.54 —
2011 13.94 +2.27 pp
2010 11.67 +0.61 pp
2009 11.06 +0.22 pp
2008 10.84 −0.33 pp
2007 11.17 +1.29 pp
2006 9.88 —
2004 11.62 −1.31 pp
2003 12.93 +0.63 pp
2002 12.3 −1.12 pp
2001 13.41 −1.18 pp
2000 14.59 −2.3 pp
1999 16.88 −0.07 pp
1998 16.96 —
1987 16.78 +0.05 pp
1986 16.73 —
1984 17.11 +1.5 pp
1983 15.61 +1.63 pp
1982 13.98 −1.61 pp
1981 15.59 +0.27 pp
1980 15.32 +1.07 pp
1979 14.25 +1.1 pp
1978 13.15 +0.25 pp
1977 12.9 +0.43 pp
1976 12.47 −3.12 pp
1975 15.59 −2 pp
1974 17.59 +3.1 pp
1973 14.49 +1.99 pp
1972 12.5 −0.1 pp
1971 12.6 +1.22 pp
1970 11.38 −1.02 pp
1969 12.4 −1.41 pp
1968 13.81 —

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 OPEC

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

OPEC by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

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

OPEC by year Nutrition Food insecurity

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

OPEC by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

OPEC by year
All indicators for OPEC