Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zimbabwe

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Zimbabwe in 2024 — 18.96%. Ranked 28 in the world out of 131. Since 1984, the indicator has risen by 10.84 pp.

2024 18.96% +5.14 pp vs 2023
World rank 28of 131
Period maximum 23.68%2004
Period minimum 2.23%1991

Trend over time

1984–2024 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zimbabwe, 1984–20240102030198419881992199620002004200820122016202020241984: 8.12%1985: 4.96%1986: 3.27%1990: 3.68%1991: 2.23%1992: 17.77%1993: 11.15%1994: 4.83%1995: 5.98%1996: 10.34%1997: 7.15%1999: 8.79%2000: 7.69%2001: 5.14%2002: 13.2%2003: 21.01%2004: 23.68%2005: 12.8%2006: 20.89%2007: 11.38%2008: 19.46%2009: 13.21%2010: 17.91%2011: 14.69%2012: 18.3%2013: 14.58%2014: 15.36%2015: 17.01%2016: 19.94%2017: 14.89%2018: 11.89%2019: 8.06%2020: 18.25%2021: 14.37%2022: 13.32%2023: 13.82%2024: 18.96%
Change over the period: +10.84 pp Annual average: 0.27 pp

Comparison, 2024

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

Zimbabwe 18.96%
World 8.89%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Zimbabwe, by year Zimbabwe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 18.96 +5.14 pp
2023 13.82 +0.5 pp
2022 13.32 −1.05 pp
2021 14.37 −3.88 pp
2020 18.25 +10.19 pp
2019 8.06 −3.83 pp
2018 11.89 −3.01 pp
2017 14.89 −5.05 pp
2016 19.94 +2.93 pp
2015 17.01 +1.65 pp
2014 15.36 +0.78 pp
2013 14.58 −3.72 pp
2012 18.3 +3.61 pp
2011 14.69 −3.22 pp
2010 17.91 +4.7 pp
2009 13.21 −6.25 pp
2008 19.46 +8.09 pp
2007 11.38 −9.51 pp
2006 20.89 +8.1 pp
2005 12.8 −10.88 pp
2004 23.68 +2.67 pp
2003 21.01 +7.81 pp
2002 13.2 +8.06 pp
2001 5.14 −2.55 pp
2000 7.69 −1.1 pp
1999 8.79
1997 7.15 −3.19 pp
1996 10.34 +4.37 pp
1995 5.98 +1.15 pp
1994 4.83 −6.32 pp
1993 11.15 −6.62 pp
1992 17.77 +15.54 pp
1991 2.23 −1.45 pp
1990 3.68
1986 3.27 −1.68 pp
1985 4.96 −3.16 pp
1984 8.12

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.