Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Iraq
Iraq: Food imports (% of merchandise imports) was 14.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in Iraq, 1963–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
Iraq recorded 14.2% for food imports in 2024.
That represents a change of down 22.9% on the previous year and up 97.9% 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 106th of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports (% of merchandise 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% |
| 2021 | 12.9% | +79.2% |
| 2022 | 14.1% | +9.2% |
| 2023 | 18.5% | +31.2% |
| 2024 | 14.2% | -22.9% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 14.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 15.4%, 92% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 14.2% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 16.0%, 89% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Iraq changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +1106.0% | 1.6% | 18.8% |
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 |
| 2020s | 14.9% | 12.9% | 18.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More private sector data for Iraq
- Merchandise trade 70.0% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 76.3% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 85.19 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 26.61 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 0.5% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 0.4% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 92.91 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 10.31 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Iraq?
- Food imports in Iraq was 14.2% in 2024, 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 106th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 97.9%. 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.