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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sao Tome and Principe

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Sao Tome and Principe in 2023 — 31.81%. Ranked 4 in the world out of 160. Since 1999, the indicator has risen by 14.07 pp.

2023 31.81% +4.36 pp vs 2022
World rank 4of 160
Period maximum 41.7%2002
Period minimum 17.74%1999

Trend over time

1999–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sao Tome and Principe, 1999–202310203040501999200220052008201120142017202020231999: 17.74%2000: 30.82%2001: 36.59%2002: 41.7%2003: 38.45%2004: 38.67%2005: 38.45%2006: 30.63%2007: 28.33%2008: 27.34%2009: 35.91%2010: 29.83%2011: 32.42%2012: 30.36%2013: 30.63%2014: 32.36%2015: 31.05%2016: 32.26%2017: 29.73%2018: 29.21%2019: 30.94%2020: 33.55%2021: 34.75%2022: 27.45%2023: 31.81%
Change over the period: +14.07 pp Annual average: 0.59 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe 31.81%
World 8.68%
Sub-Saharan Africa 12.18%
Middle Africa computed 11.99%
Lower-middle-income countries computed 10.21%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sao Tome and Principe, by year Sao Tome and Principe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 31.81 +4.36 pp
2022 27.45 −7.3 pp
2021 34.75 +1.21 pp
2020 33.55 +2.61 pp
2019 30.94 +1.72 pp
2018 29.21 −0.52 pp
2017 29.73 −2.53 pp
2016 32.26 +1.22 pp
2015 31.05 −1.31 pp
2014 32.36 +1.73 pp
2013 30.63 +0.27 pp
2012 30.36 −2.06 pp
2011 32.42 +2.59 pp
2010 29.83 −6.07 pp
2009 35.91 +8.57 pp
2008 27.34 −1 pp
2007 28.33 −2.3 pp
2006 30.63 −7.82 pp
2005 38.45 −0.21 pp
2004 38.67 +0.22 pp
2003 38.45 −3.25 pp
2002 41.7 +5.1 pp
2001 36.59 +5.77 pp
2000 30.82 +13.08 pp
1999 17.74 —

Middle Africa, 2023

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

ST Sao Tome and Principe 31.81 CM Cameroon 21.75 CG Republic of the Congo 21.24 CF Central African Republic 18.51 GA Gabon 15.72 AO Angola 14.44 CD Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.77
Full table for all countries

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 Sao Tome and Principe

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

Sao Tome and Principe by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

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

Sao Tome and Principe by year Nutrition Food insecurity

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

Sao Tome and Principe by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Sao Tome and Principe by year
All indicators for Sao Tome and Principe