Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — United Arab Emirates

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 — 4.99%. Ranked 155 in the world out of 160. Since 1978, the indicator has fallen by 6.02 pp.

2023 4.99% −0.6 pp vs 2022
World rank 155of 160
Period maximum 17.16%1991
Period minimum 4.99%2023

Trend over time

1978–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — United Arab Emirates, 1978–20230510152019781983198819931998200320082013201820231978: 11.01%1979: 10.89%1980: 11.12%1981: 10.65%1982: 9.56%1983: 12.25%1991: 17.16%1992: 16.12%1993: 14.88%1999: 11.26%2000: 11.08%2001: 9.75%2002: 7.76%2003: 7.39%2004: 6.42%2005: 6.65%2006: 6.4%2007: 6.02%2008: 6.06%2009: 6.14%2010: 6.01%2011: 6.51%2012: 5.89%2013: 5.04%2014: 5.53%2015: 5.79%2016: 5.91%2017: 7%2018: 7.31%2019: 6.18%2020: 6.83%2021: 5.36%2022: 5.58%2023: 4.99%
Change over the period: −6.02 pp Annual average: -0.13 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates 4.99%
World 8.68%
Western Asia computed 8.64%
High-income countries computed 8.48%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — United Arab Emirates, by year United Arab Emirates All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 4.99 −0.6 pp
2022 5.58 +0.23 pp
2021 5.36 −1.47 pp
2020 6.83 +0.64 pp
2019 6.18 −1.12 pp
2018 7.31 +0.31 pp
2017 7 +1.09 pp
2016 5.91 +0.12 pp
2015 5.79 +0.26 pp
2014 5.53 +0.48 pp
2013 5.04 −0.85 pp
2012 5.89 −0.62 pp
2011 6.51 +0.51 pp
2010 6.01 −0.14 pp
2009 6.14 +0.09 pp
2008 6.06 +0.04 pp
2007 6.02 −0.38 pp
2006 6.4 −0.25 pp
2005 6.65 +0.23 pp
2004 6.42 −0.97 pp
2003 7.39 −0.37 pp
2002 7.76 −1.99 pp
2001 9.75 −1.33 pp
2000 11.08 −0.18 pp
1999 11.26
1993 14.88 −1.24 pp
1992 16.12 −1.04 pp
1991 17.16
1983 12.25 +2.69 pp
1982 9.56 −1.09 pp
1981 10.65 −0.47 pp
1980 11.12 +0.22 pp
1979 10.89 −0.11 pp
1978 11.01

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.