Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in South Africa in 2025 — 7.16%. Ranked 19 in the world out of 24. Since 1974, the indicator has risen by 1.77 pp.
1974–2025 · % of merchandise imports
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.16 | −0.01 pp |
| 2024 | 7.17 | +0.85 pp |
| 2023 | 6.32 | −0.05 pp |
| 2022 | 6.38 | −0.83 pp |
| 2021 | 7.2 | −1.2 pp |
| 2020 | 8.4 | +1.17 pp |
| 2019 | 7.23 | +0.16 pp |
| 2018 | 7.07 | −0.8 pp |
| 2017 | 7.88 | −0.48 pp |
| 2016 | 8.36 | +1.38 pp |
| 2015 | 6.98 | +0.69 pp |
| 2014 | 6.29 | −0.26 pp |
| 2013 | 6.55 | −0.61 pp |
| 2012 | 7.16 | +0.31 pp |
| 2011 | 6.85 | +0.22 pp |
| 2010 | 6.63 | +0.1 pp |
| 2009 | 6.53 | +1.27 pp |
| 2008 | 5.26 | +0.09 pp |
| 2007 | 5.17 | +0.8 pp |
| 2006 | 4.37 | −0.09 pp |
| 2005 | 4.45 | −0.51 pp |
| 2004 | 4.96 | −0.02 pp |
| 2003 | 4.98 | +0 pp |
| 2002 | 4.97 | +0.62 pp |
| 2001 | 4.35 | −0.33 pp |
| 2000 | 4.69 | −0.74 pp |
| 1999 | 5.42 | +0.18 pp |
| 1998 | 5.24 | −0.31 pp |
| 1997 | 5.55 | −0.85 pp |
| 1996 | 6.4 | −0.28 pp |
| 1995 | 6.68 | +0.34 pp |
| 1994 | 6.34 | +0.17 pp |
| 1993 | 6.17 | −2.23 pp |
| 1992 | 8.4 | — |
| 1985 | 6.11 | −1.93 pp |
| 1984 | 8.04 | +1.51 pp |
| 1983 | 6.52 | +3.04 pp |
| 1982 | 3.48 | −0.04 pp |
| 1981 | 3.53 | +0.61 pp |
| 1980 | 2.92 | −2.02 pp |
| 1979 | 4.94 | +0.19 pp |
| 1978 | 4.75 | −1.59 pp |
| 1977 | 6.34 | +1.49 pp |
| 1976 | 4.85 | −0.08 pp |
| 1975 | 4.93 | −0.47 pp |
| 1974 | 5.4 | — |
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.
What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.
Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)What part of merchandise imports a country spends on oil, gas and coal.
Nutrition Food insecurityThe share of people who at least once during the year lacked money or access to food.
Trade Merchandise importsImports of goods only, without services — WTO data.
