Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zambia

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Zambia in 2024 — 7.83%. Ranked 112 in the world out of 131. Since 1966, the indicator has fallen by 2.49 pp.

2024 7.83% +0.97 pp vs 2023
World rank 112of 131
Period maximum 13.57%1971
Period minimum 4.22%2013

Trend over time

1966–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zambia, 1966–2024051015196619721978198419901996200220082014202020241966: 10.32%1967: 8.41%1970: 10.6%1971: 13.57%1972: 10.52%1973: 8.55%1974: 10.21%1975: 7.76%1976: 8.16%1977: 7.59%1978: 8.12%1979: 8.57%1995: 9.85%1996: 10.96%1997: 8.51%1998: 11.75%1999: 10.03%2000: 7.72%2001: 8.9%2002: 10.92%2003: 12.81%2004: 7%2005: 6.28%2006: 7.74%2007: 5.42%2008: 5.6%2009: 6.55%2010: 4.72%2011: 5.05%2012: 5.59%2013: 4.22%2014: 4.67%2015: 6.02%2016: 6.11%2017: 6.12%2018: 5.28%2019: 7.26%2020: 8.71%2021: 8.99%2022: 7.76%2023: 6.86%2024: 7.83%
Change over the period: −2.49 pp Annual average: -0.04 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

Zambia 7.83%
World 8.89%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 7.83 +0.97 pp
2023 6.86 −0.9 pp
2022 7.76 −1.22 pp
2021 8.99 +0.27 pp
2020 8.71 +1.45 pp
2019 7.26 +1.99 pp
2018 5.28 −0.84 pp
2017 6.12 +0.01 pp
2016 6.11 +0.08 pp
2015 6.02 +1.35 pp
2014 4.67 +0.45 pp
2013 4.22 −1.37 pp
2012 5.59 +0.54 pp
2011 5.05 +0.33 pp
2010 4.72 −1.83 pp
2009 6.55 +0.95 pp
2008 5.6 +0.19 pp
2007 5.42 −2.33 pp
2006 7.74 +1.47 pp
2005 6.28 −0.72 pp
2004 7 −5.81 pp
2003 12.81 +1.89 pp
2002 10.92 +2.02 pp
2001 8.9 +1.18 pp
2000 7.72 −2.32 pp
1999 10.03 −1.72 pp
1998 11.75 +3.25 pp
1997 8.51 −2.46 pp
1996 10.96 +1.11 pp
1995 9.85
1979 8.57 +0.46 pp
1978 8.12 +0.53 pp
1977 7.59 −0.57 pp
1976 8.16 +0.4 pp
1975 7.76 −2.45 pp
1974 10.21 +1.66 pp
1973 8.55 −1.97 pp
1972 10.52 −3.05 pp
1971 13.57 +2.98 pp
1970 10.6
1967 8.41 −1.91 pp
1966 10.32

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.