Food imports in Singapore
Singapore: Food imports was 3.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in Singapore, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, food imports in Singapore stood at 3.7%.
The figure is down 9.3% on the previous year and up 3.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Singapore peaked at 23.8% in 1964 and was at its lowest, 2.2%, in 2006.
That places Singapore 195th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports in Singapore, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 21.7% | — |
| 1963 | 23.5% | +8.3% |
| 1964 | 23.8% | +1.4% |
| 1965 | 23.7% | -0.3% |
| 1966 | 22.6% | -4.9% |
| 1967 | 22.0% | -2.4% |
| 1968 | 20.6% | -6.3% |
| 1969 | 18.1% | -12.6% |
| 1970 | 16.4% | -9.2% |
| 1971 | 15.5% | -5.3% |
| 1972 | 14.2% | -8.6% |
| 1973 | 12.7% | -10.2% |
| 1974 | 10.4% | -18.7% |
| 1975 | 10.8% | +4.0% |
| 1976 | 10.4% | -3.5% |
| 1977 | 11.5% | +10.7% |
| 1978 | 10.0% | -12.8% |
| 1979 | 9.7% | -3.7% |
| 1980 | 8.5% | -12.3% |
| 1981 | 7.5% | -11.0% |
| 1982 | 7.8% | +3.4% |
| 1983 | 7.8% | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 10.1% | +29.6% |
| 1985 | 9.6% | -5.1% |
| 1986 | 9.5% | -1.4% |
| 1987 | 8.0% | -15.7% |
| 1989 | 6.8% | -15.2% |
| 1990 | 6.1% | -10.4% |
| 1991 | 6.3% | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 6.4% | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 5.9% | -7.6% |
| 1994 | 5.2% | -11.1% |
| 1995 | 4.6% | -12.3% |
| 1996 | 4.4% | -3.7% |
| 1997 | 4.3% | -2.4% |
| 1998 | 4.4% | +1.4% |
| 1999 | 4.0% | -8.4% |
| 2000 | 3.2% | -19.1% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | +12.8% |
| 2002 | 3.6% | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 3.5% | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 3.1% | -12.9% |
| 2005 | 2.4% | -20.5% |
| 2006 | 2.2% | -8.0% |
| 2007 | 2.5% | +13.1% |
| 2008 | 2.5% | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 2.9% | +16.0% |
| 2010 | 3.1% | +7.6% |
| 2011 | 3.3% | +5.7% |
| 2012 | 3.3% | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 3.3% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 3.5% | +5.9% |
| 2015 | 4.0% | +12.0% |
| 2016 | 4.1% | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 3.9% | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 3.6% | -6.3% |
| 2019 | 3.7% | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 4.1% | +11.2% |
| 2021 | 3.9% | -4.8% |
| 2022 | 3.7% | -6.4% |
| 2023 | 4.0% | +9.9% |
| 2024 | 3.7% | -9.3% |
Singapore compared with similar countries
- Singapore's 3.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.8%, 29% of the median. (71 countries reporting)
- Singapore's 3.7% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 12.8%, 29% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 22.0% | 18.1% | 23.8% | 8 |
| 1970s | 12.2% | 9.7% | 16.4% | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.4% | 6.8% | 10.1% | 9 |
| 1990s | 5.1% | 4.0% | 6.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.0% | 2.2% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.6% | 3.1% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.9% | 3.7% | 4.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Singapore
- 192 United Arab Emirates 5.0% compare
- 193 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.8% compare
- 194 Switzerland 4.6% compare
- 196 Hong Kong, China 3.3% compare
More private sector data for Singapore
- Merchandise trade 177.6% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 70.9% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 505.84 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 2.8% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 74.5% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 566.87 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 92,760 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.9387 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 12.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Merchandise imports (current US$), per capita 82,773 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Singapore?
- Food imports in Singapore was 3.7% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Singapore?
- The highest recorded value was 23.8% in 1964.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Singapore?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.2% in 2006.
- How does Singapore rank for food imports?
- Singapore ranks 195th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Singapore?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Singapore 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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CSV · JSON — 62 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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.