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Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Africa

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Eastern Africa in 2023 — 15.33%. Since 1995, the indicator has risen by 2.91 pp.

2023 15.33% −0.93 pp vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 18.3%2021
Period minimum 11.41%2015

Trend over time

1995–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Africa, 1995–202310121416182019951998200120042007201020132016201920221995: 12.42%1996: 13.92%1997: 14.08%1999: 12.59%2000: 13.12%2001: 13.6%2002: 14.86%2003: 17.38%2004: 14.63%2005: 12.38%2006: 12.54%2007: 12.01%2008: 12.39%2009: 13.04%2010: 12.54%2011: 13.25%2012: 12.47%2013: 11.58%2014: 11.82%2015: 11.41%2016: 13.85%2017: 14.87%2018: 13.21%2019: 12.67%2020: 15.89%2021: 18.3%2022: 16.26%2023: 15.33%
Change over the period: +2.91 pp Annual average: 0.1 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Eastern Africa 15.33%
World 8.68%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Africa, by year Eastern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 15.33 −0.93 pp
2022 16.26 −2.05 pp
2021 18.3 +2.42 pp
2020 15.89 +3.22 pp
2019 12.67 −0.55 pp
2018 13.21 −1.65 pp
2017 14.87 +1.02 pp
2016 13.85 +2.44 pp
2015 11.41 −0.41 pp
2014 11.82 +0.24 pp
2013 11.58 −0.89 pp
2012 12.47 −0.78 pp
2011 13.25 +0.71 pp
2010 12.54 −0.5 pp
2009 13.04 +0.65 pp
2008 12.39 +0.38 pp
2007 12.01 −0.54 pp
2006 12.54 +0.16 pp
2005 12.38 −2.25 pp
2004 14.63 −2.74 pp
2003 17.38 +2.52 pp
2002 14.86 +1.26 pp
2001 13.6 +0.48 pp
2000 13.12 +0.52 pp
1999 12.59 —
1997 14.08 +0.16 pp
1996 13.92 +1.5 pp
1995 12.42 —

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 Eastern Africa

Trade Food exports (% of merchandise exports)

What part of merchandise exports is food and farm produce.

Eastern Africa by year Trade Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

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

Eastern Africa by year Nutrition Food insecurity

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

Eastern Africa by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Eastern Africa by year
All indicators for Eastern Africa