Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Food imports (% of merchandise imports) was 15.6% in 2019. ▬ Flat
Food imports in Least developed countries, 2001–2019
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
Least developed countries recorded 15.6% for food imports in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.0% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Least developed countries peaked at 18.6% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 14.2%, in 2012.
Least developed countries ranks 7th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 16.3% | — |
| 2002 | 16.2% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 18.6% | +14.6% |
| 2007 | 15.7% | -15.3% |
| 2008 | 15.3% | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 15.7% | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 14.6% | -6.5% |
| 2011 | 15.3% | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 14.2% | -7.6% |
| 2013 | 14.6% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 15.2% | +3.8% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 17.7% | +16.3% |
| 2017 | 18.3% | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 16.8% | -8.6% |
| 2019 | 15.6% | -7.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 16.3% | 15.3% | 18.6% | 6 |
| 2010s | 15.7% | 14.2% | 18.3% | 10 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
More private sector data for Least developed countries
- Merchandise trade 41.4% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 62.6% (2019)
- Merchandise imports 376.94 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 83.48 billion current US$ (2024)
- Food exports 15.7% (2023)
- Manufactures exports 19.9% (2023)
- Merchandise exports 311.48 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 54.31 billion current US$ (2024)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 256.54 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1884 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Least developed countries?
- Food imports in Least developed countries was 15.6% in 2019, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 18.6% in 2003.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.2% in 2012.
- How does Least developed countries rank for food imports?
- Least developed countries ranks 7th out of 47 groups with data for 2019.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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.