Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Palestine

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Palestine in 2023 — 30.92%. Ranked 5 in the world out of 160. Since 2000, the indicator has risen by 7.6 pp.

2023 30.92% +2.5 pp vs 2022
World rank 5of 160
Period maximum 33.69%2020
Period minimum 21.88%2005

Trend over time

2000–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Palestine, 2000–2023202530352000200320062009201220152018202120232000: 23.33%2001: 25.81%2002: 27.7%2003: 27.29%2004: 25.53%2005: 21.88%2006: 22.52%2007: 24.31%2008: 23.19%2009: 22.93%2010: 24.1%2011: 22.06%2012: 23.86%2013: 24.96%2014: 24.39%2015: 27.29%2016: 28.32%2017: 27.87%2018: 29.18%2019: 30.24%2020: 33.69%2021: 31.7%2022: 28.42%2023: 30.92%
Change over the period: +7.6 pp Annual average: 0.33 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Palestine 30.92%
World 8.68%
Western Asia computed 8.64%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Palestine, by year Palestine All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 30.92 +2.5 pp
2022 28.42 −3.28 pp
2021 31.7 −1.99 pp
2020 33.69 +3.45 pp
2019 30.24 +1.06 pp
2018 29.18 +1.3 pp
2017 27.87 −0.45 pp
2016 28.32 +1.03 pp
2015 27.29 +2.9 pp
2014 24.39 −0.57 pp
2013 24.96 +1.1 pp
2012 23.86 +1.8 pp
2011 22.06 −2.04 pp
2010 24.1 +1.17 pp
2009 22.93 −0.26 pp
2008 23.19 −1.12 pp
2007 24.31 +1.8 pp
2006 22.52 +0.64 pp
2005 21.88 −3.66 pp
2004 25.53 −1.75 pp
2003 27.29 −0.42 pp
2002 27.7 +1.89 pp
2001 25.81 +2.49 pp
2000 23.33

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.