Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tonga

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Tonga in 2023 — 27.49%. Ranked 9 in the world out of 160. Since 1975, the indicator has fallen by 6.91 pp.

2023 27.49% −0.58 pp vs 2022
World rank 9of 160
Period maximum 35.8%1976
Period minimum 19.76%2002

Trend over time

1975–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tonga, 1975–2023152025303540197519801985199019952000200520102015202020231975: 34.4%1976: 35.8%1977: 33.73%1978: 35.11%1979: 33.18%1980: 30.26%1981: 30.37%1982: 27.49%1983: 29.98%1984: 30.27%1985: 28.53%1986: 28.87%1987: 27.4%2000: 23.23%2001: 21.59%2002: 19.76%2003: 19.77%2004: 21.97%2005: 20.49%2006: 22.05%2007: 21.96%2008: 28.56%2009: 33.72%2010: 29.14%2011: 29.81%2012: 29.02%2013: 29.75%2014: 27.18%2017: 28.46%2018: 24.69%2019: 23.63%2020: 29.22%2021: 35.75%2022: 28.07%2023: 27.49%
Change over the period: −6.91 pp Annual average: -0.14 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Tonga 27.49%
World 8.68%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tonga, by year Tonga All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 27.49 −0.58 pp
2022 28.07 −7.68 pp
2021 35.75 +6.53 pp
2020 29.22 +5.59 pp
2019 23.63 −1.06 pp
2018 24.69 −3.78 pp
2017 28.46
2014 27.18 −2.57 pp
2013 29.75 +0.73 pp
2012 29.02 −0.79 pp
2011 29.81 +0.67 pp
2010 29.14 −4.58 pp
2009 33.72 +5.16 pp
2008 28.56 +6.59 pp
2007 21.96 −0.09 pp
2006 22.05 +1.56 pp
2005 20.49 −1.48 pp
2004 21.97 +2.2 pp
2003 19.77 +0.01 pp
2002 19.76 −1.83 pp
2001 21.59 −1.63 pp
2000 23.23
1987 27.4 −1.47 pp
1986 28.87 +0.34 pp
1985 28.53 −1.75 pp
1984 30.27 +0.29 pp
1983 29.98 +2.49 pp
1982 27.49 −2.88 pp
1981 30.37 +0.11 pp
1980 30.26 −2.92 pp
1979 33.18 −1.93 pp
1978 35.11 +1.38 pp
1977 33.73 −2.07 pp
1976 35.8 +1.4 pp
1975 34.4

Polynesia, 2023

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

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.