Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Asia

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Eastern Asia in 2024 — 7.4%. Since 1984, the indicator has fallen by 4.5 pp.

2024 7.4% −0.62 pp vs 2023
World rank
Period maximum 12.48%1986
Period minimum 4.98%2006

Trend over time

1984–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Asia, 1984–2024468101214198419881992199620002004200820122016202020241984: 11.9%1985: 10.66%1986: 12.48%1987: 12.1%1992: 10.91%1993: 10.18%1994: 10.63%1995: 10.16%1996: 9.8%1997: 9.13%1998: 9.56%1999: 8.94%2000: 7.65%2001: 7.72%2002: 7.35%2003: 6.76%2004: 6.3%2005: 5.64%2006: 4.98%2007: 5.14%2008: 5.66%2009: 6.22%2010: 5.63%2011: 5.71%2012: 5.96%2013: 5.86%2014: 6.1%2015: 6.9%2016: 7.15%2017: 6.89%2018: 6.54%2019: 7.13%2020: 7.86%2021: 7.47%2022: 7.59%2023: 8.02%2024: 7.4%
Change over the period: −4.5 pp Annual average: -0.11 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

Eastern Asia 7.4%
World 8.89%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Eastern Asia, by year Eastern Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 7.4 −0.62 pp
2023 8.02 +0.43 pp
2022 7.59 +0.12 pp
2021 7.47 −0.4 pp
2020 7.86 +0.74 pp
2019 7.13 +0.59 pp
2018 6.54 −0.35 pp
2017 6.89 −0.26 pp
2016 7.15 +0.25 pp
2015 6.9 +0.8 pp
2014 6.1 +0.24 pp
2013 5.86 −0.1 pp
2012 5.96 +0.24 pp
2011 5.71 +0.09 pp
2010 5.63 −0.59 pp
2009 6.22 +0.57 pp
2008 5.66 +0.52 pp
2007 5.14 +0.16 pp
2006 4.98 −0.66 pp
2005 5.64 −0.66 pp
2004 6.3 −0.45 pp
2003 6.76 −0.59 pp
2002 7.35 −0.38 pp
2001 7.72 +0.07 pp
2000 7.65 −1.28 pp
1999 8.94 −0.62 pp
1998 9.56 +0.43 pp
1997 9.13 −0.67 pp
1996 9.8 −0.36 pp
1995 10.16 −0.47 pp
1994 10.63 +0.46 pp
1993 10.18 −0.74 pp
1992 10.91
1987 12.1 −0.38 pp
1986 12.48 +1.82 pp
1985 10.66 −1.24 pp
1984 11.9

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.