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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sub-Saharan Africa

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024 — 12.14%. Since 1974, the indicator has fallen by 0.77 pp.

2024 12.14% −0.04 pp vs 2023
World rank —
Period maximum 14.99%2020
Period minimum 9.72%1976

Trend over time

1974–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sub-Saharan Africa, 1974–2024810121416197419791984198919941999200420092014201920241974: 12.91%1975: 10.49%1976: 9.72%1977: 10.61%1978: 10.99%1979: 10.88%1996: 12.61%1997: 12.13%1998: 12.72%1999: 13.67%2000: 12.5%2001: 13.22%2002: 13.37%2003: 13.47%2004: 12.07%2005: 10.64%2006: 11.68%2007: 12.19%2008: 11.3%2009: 12.21%2010: 11.83%2011: 14.92%2012: 13.72%2013: 12.52%2014: 12.57%2015: 12.18%2016: 13.58%2017: 14.35%2018: 13.31%2019: 12.59%2020: 14.99%2021: 14.75%2022: 12.99%2023: 12.18%2024: 12.14%
Change over the period: −0.77 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa 12.14%
World 8.89%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Sub-Saharan Africa, by year Sub-Saharan Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 12.14 −0.04 pp
2023 12.18 −0.81 pp
2022 12.99 −1.77 pp
2021 14.75 −0.24 pp
2020 14.99 +2.41 pp
2019 12.59 −0.72 pp
2018 13.31 −1.05 pp
2017 14.35 +0.78 pp
2016 13.58 +1.39 pp
2015 12.18 −0.39 pp
2014 12.57 +0.05 pp
2013 12.52 −1.2 pp
2012 13.72 −1.2 pp
2011 14.92 +3.09 pp
2010 11.83 −0.38 pp
2009 12.21 +0.91 pp
2008 11.3 −0.89 pp
2007 12.19 +0.51 pp
2006 11.68 +1.04 pp
2005 10.64 −1.43 pp
2004 12.07 −1.39 pp
2003 13.47 +0.09 pp
2002 13.37 +0.15 pp
2001 13.22 +0.72 pp
2000 12.5 −1.17 pp
1999 13.67 +0.95 pp
1998 12.72 +0.59 pp
1997 12.13 −0.48 pp
1996 12.61 —
1979 10.88 −0.11 pp
1978 10.99 +0.38 pp
1977 10.61 +0.89 pp
1976 9.72 −0.77 pp
1975 10.49 −2.42 pp
1974 12.91 —

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 Sub-Saharan Africa

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Nutrition Food insecurity

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Sub-Saharan Africa by year
All indicators for Sub-Saharan Africa