Food imports in Iraq
Iraq: Food imports was 7.2% in 2014. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in Iraq, 1963–2014
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
Iraq recorded 7.2% for food imports in 2014.
That represents a change of up 362.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Iraq peaked at 28.7% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 2001.
Iraq ranks 177th of 196 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports in Iraq, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 21.4% | — |
| 1972 | 19.6% | -8.5% |
| 1973 | 24.0% | +22.1% |
| 1974 | 28.7% | +19.7% |
| 1975 | 17.5% | -39.0% |
| 1976 | 14.9% | -14.7% |
| 2000 | 1.5% | -89.7% |
| 2001 | 1.1% | -29.9% |
| 2002 | 1.6% | +44.6% |
| 2007 | 18.8% | +1106.0% |
| 2008 | 3.9% | -79.3% |
| 2014 | 7.2% | +85.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 21.4% | 21.4% | 21.4% | 1 |
| 1970s | 20.9% | 14.9% | 28.7% | 5 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 1.1% | 18.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 174 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 7.5% compare
- 175 Cambodia 7.5% compare
- 176 Slovakia 7.3% compare
- 178 South Africa 7.2% compare
- 179 Hungary 7.0% compare
- 180 United States of America 6.9% compare
More private sector data for Iraq
- Merchandise trade 70.0% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 66.3% (2014)
- Merchandise imports 85.19 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 0.0% (2016)
- Manufactures exports 0.0% (2016)
- Merchandise exports 92.91 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 1,976 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.3653 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate -8 % change on previous year (2025)
- Merchandise imports (current US$), per capita 1,812 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Iraq?
- Food imports in Iraq was 7.2% in 2014, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 28.7% in 1974.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 2001.
- How does Iraq rank for food imports?
- Iraq ranks 177th out of 196 countries with data for 2014.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 362.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Food imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Food comprises the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 0 (food and live animals), 1 (beverages and tobacco), and 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) and division 22 (oil seeds, oil nuts, and oil kernels). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.