Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Southern Asia

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Southern Asia in 2022 — 7.48%. Since 1974, the indicator has fallen by 13.57 pp.

2022 7.48% −0.71 pp vs 2021
World rank
Period maximum 23.37%1975
Period minimum 4.7%2006

Trend over time

1974–2022 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Southern Asia, 1974–20220102030197419791984198919941999200420092014201920221974: 21.06%1975: 23.37%1976: 17.07%1977: 15.04%1998: 11.87%1999: 11.17%2000: 9.55%2001: 9.8%2002: 8.41%2003: 8.74%2004: 6.99%2005: 5.95%2006: 4.7%2007: 5.43%2008: 4.85%2009: 6.27%2010: 7.08%2011: 6.42%2012: 5.22%2013: 7.08%2014: 7.11%2015: 8.67%2016: 9.28%2017: 9.2%2018: 7.26%2019: 6.99%2020: 8.85%2021: 8.2%2022: 7.48%
Change over the period: −13.57 pp Annual average: -0.28 pp

Comparison, 2022

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

Southern Asia 7.48%
World 8.29%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Southern Asia, by year Southern Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2022 7.48 −0.71 pp
2021 8.2 −0.65 pp
2020 8.85 +1.86 pp
2019 6.99 −0.27 pp
2018 7.26 −1.94 pp
2017 9.2 −0.08 pp
2016 9.28 +0.61 pp
2015 8.67 +1.57 pp
2014 7.11 +0.03 pp
2013 7.08 +1.86 pp
2012 5.22 −1.2 pp
2011 6.42 −0.66 pp
2010 7.08 +0.81 pp
2009 6.27 +1.42 pp
2008 4.85 −0.58 pp
2007 5.43 +0.72 pp
2006 4.7 −1.24 pp
2005 5.95 −1.04 pp
2004 6.99 −1.75 pp
2003 8.74 +0.34 pp
2002 8.41 −1.39 pp
2001 9.8 +0.25 pp
2000 9.55 −1.61 pp
1999 11.17 −0.7 pp
1998 11.87
1977 15.04 −2.04 pp
1976 17.07 −6.3 pp
1975 23.37 +2.32 pp
1974 21.06

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.