Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tuvalu

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Tuvalu in 2008 — 21.54%. Ranked 22 in the world out of 171. Since 1977, the indicator has fallen by 17.47 pp.

2008 21.54% −3.68 pp vs 2006
World rank 22of 171
Period maximum 49.52%1979
Period minimum 21.54%2008

Trend over time

1977–2008 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tuvalu, 1977–2008203040501977198119851989199319972001200520081977: 39.02%1978: 44.2%1979: 49.52%1980: 37.58%1981: 35.1%1982: 27.17%1985: 29.87%1997: 33.75%1998: 27.83%1999: 31.59%2001: 24.07%2002: 24.88%2004: 29.82%2005: 30.7%2006: 25.22%2008: 21.54%
Change over the period: −17.47 pp Annual average: -0.56 pp

Comparison, 2008

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

Tuvalu 21.54%
World 6.82%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Tuvalu, by year Tuvalu All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2008 21.54
2006 25.22 −5.47 pp
2005 30.7 +0.88 pp
2004 29.82
2002 24.88 +0.81 pp
2001 24.07
1999 31.59 +3.76 pp
1998 27.83 −5.92 pp
1997 33.75
1985 29.87
1982 27.17 −7.93 pp
1981 35.1 −2.48 pp
1980 37.58 −11.94 pp
1979 49.52 +5.32 pp
1978 44.2 +5.18 pp
1977 39.02

Polynesia, 2008

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.