Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Timor-Leste

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Timor-Leste in 2023 — 28.06%. Ranked 8 in the world out of 160. Since 2004, the indicator has risen by 8.98 pp.

2023 28.06% −0.11 pp vs 2022
World rank 8of 160
Period maximum 32.72%2021
Period minimum 14.36%2013

Trend over time

2004–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Timor-Leste, 2004–2023101520253035200420062008201020122014201620182020202220232004: 19.07%2005: 17.63%2013: 14.36%2017: 30.22%2018: 29.37%2019: 27.36%2020: 31.29%2021: 32.72%2022: 28.17%2023: 28.06%
Change over the period: +8.98 pp Annual average: 0.47 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste 28.06%
World 8.68%
South-Eastern Asia computed 8.09%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Timor-Leste, by year Timor-Leste All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 28.06 −0.11 pp
2022 28.17 −4.55 pp
2021 32.72 +1.43 pp
2020 31.29 +3.93 pp
2019 27.36 −2.02 pp
2018 29.37 −0.85 pp
2017 30.22
2013 14.36
2005 17.63 −1.44 pp
2004 19.07

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.