Food imports in Lesotho
Lesotho: Food imports was 23.0% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Food imports in Lesotho, 2000–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, food imports in Lesotho stood at 23.0%.
That represents a change of up 2.0% on the previous year and up 11.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Lesotho peaked at 28.9% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 15.6%, in 2004.
Lesotho ranks 39th of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Food imports in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17.6% | — |
| 2001 | 27.0% | +53.3% |
| 2002 | 23.1% | -14.6% |
| 2003 | 19.3% | -16.1% |
| 2004 | 15.6% | -19.3% |
| 2007 | 26.1% | +66.9% |
| 2008 | 25.5% | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 28.9% | +13.6% |
| 2010 | 19.7% | -32.1% |
| 2011 | 23.3% | +18.8% |
| 2012 | 20.3% | -12.8% |
| 2013 | 18.0% | -11.6% |
| 2014 | 20.6% | +14.8% |
| 2015 | 19.9% | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 21.2% | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 19.5% | -8.4% |
| 2018 | 19.1% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 19.8% | +4.0% |
| 2020 | 22.1% | +11.3% |
| 2021 | 20.7% | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 24.0% | +16.2% |
| 2023 | 22.5% | -6.3% |
| 2024 | 23.0% | +2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.9% | 15.6% | 28.9% | 8 |
| 2010s | 20.1% | 18.0% | 23.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.4% | 20.7% | 24.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More private sector data for Lesotho
- Merchandise trade 102.9% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 59.2% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 1.88 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 23.3% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 70.1% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 773.00 million current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 327.08 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.3004 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate -22 % change on previous year (2025)
- Merchandise imports (current US$), per capita 793.38 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Lesotho?
- Food imports in Lesotho was 23.0% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 28.9% in 2009.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.6% in 2004.
- How does Lesotho rank for food imports?
- Lesotho ranks 39th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.