Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sierra Leone

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Sierra Leone in 2018 — 32.29%. Ranked 7 in the world out of 174. Since 1963, the indicator has risen by 10.53 pp.

2018 32.29% −0.28 pp vs 2017
World rank 7of 174
Period maximum 32.72%2000
Period minimum 10.97%2014

Trend over time

1963–2018 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sierra Leone, 1963–201801020304019631969197519811987199319992005201120171963: 21.75%1964: 18.09%1972: 22.33%1973: 28.5%1974: 25.59%1975: 20.19%1976: 21.98%1983: 27.57%1984: 20.73%2000: 32.72%2002: 22.53%2014: 10.97%2015: 20.72%2016: 28.48%2017: 32.57%2018: 32.29%
Change over the period: +10.53 pp Annual average: 0.19 pp

Comparison, 2018

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

Sierra Leone 32.29%
World 8.11%
Western Africa computed 17.63%
Low-income countries computed 19.33%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sierra Leone, by year Sierra Leone All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2018 32.29 −0.28 pp
2017 32.57 +4.09 pp
2016 28.48 +7.76 pp
2015 20.72 +9.75 pp
2014 10.97
2002 22.53
2000 32.72
1984 20.73 −6.85 pp
1983 27.57
1976 21.98 +1.78 pp
1975 20.19 −5.4 pp
1974 25.59 −2.91 pp
1973 28.5 +6.18 pp
1972 22.33
1964 18.09 −3.66 pp
1963 21.75

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.