Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Middle Africa

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Middle Africa in 2023 — 11.99%. Since 1962, the indicator has fallen by 8.03 pp.

2023 11.99% −4.88 pp vs 2022
World rank
Period maximum 20.02%1962
Period minimum 11.99%2023

Trend over time

1962–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Middle Africa, 1962–20231012.51517.52022.519621969197619831990199720042011201820231962: 20.02%1965: 15.19%1970: 17.11%1971: 14.33%1973: 15.07%1974: 16.49%1975: 13.59%2007: 15.62%2008: 15.34%2009: 15.14%2010: 14.68%2011: 17.53%2012: 16.34%2013: 15.51%2014: 13.42%2015: 12.02%2016: 12.01%2017: 16.95%2018: 17.05%2019: 16.68%2020: 19.14%2021: 18.46%2022: 16.87%2023: 11.99%
Change over the period: −8.03 pp Annual average: -0.13 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Middle Africa 11.99%
World 8.68%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Middle Africa, by year Middle Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 11.99 −4.88 pp
2022 16.87 −1.58 pp
2021 18.46 −0.68 pp
2020 19.14 +2.46 pp
2019 16.68 −0.37 pp
2018 17.05 +0.09 pp
2017 16.95 +4.94 pp
2016 12.01 −0.01 pp
2015 12.02 −1.4 pp
2014 13.42 −2.08 pp
2013 15.51 −0.83 pp
2012 16.34 −1.2 pp
2011 17.53 +2.85 pp
2010 14.68 −0.46 pp
2009 15.14 −0.19 pp
2008 15.34 −0.28 pp
2007 15.62
1975 13.59 −2.9 pp
1974 16.49 +1.42 pp
1973 15.07
1971 14.33 −2.79 pp
1970 17.11
1965 15.19
1962 20.02

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.