Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in South Asia
South Asia: Food imports (% of merchandise imports) was 5.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in South Asia, 1962–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2025, food imports in South Asia stood at 5.5%.
That represents a change of down 1.2% on the previous year and down 19.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in South Asia peaked at 34.8% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 4.4%, in 2008.
South Asia ranks 46th of 47 groups 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 (% of merchandise imports) in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 18.1% | — |
| 1963 | 16.5% | -8.8% |
| 1964 | 18.5% | +12.0% |
| 1965 | 22.9% | +24.0% |
| 1966 | 34.8% | +51.9% |
| 1967 | 32.7% | -6.0% |
| 1968 | 26.0% | -20.5% |
| 1969 | 24.0% | -7.8% |
| 1970 | 22.1% | -7.7% |
| 1971 | 16.1% | -27.4% |
| 1972 | 11.3% | -29.4% |
| 1973 | 20.1% | +77.0% |
| 1974 | 20.7% | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 32.2% | +55.6% |
| 1976 | 27.5% | -14.5% |
| 1977 | 17.3% | -37.1% |
| 1978 | 15.0% | -13.2% |
| 1979 | 10.9% | -27.2% |
| 1980 | 10.7% | -1.9% |
| 1981 | 10.1% | -6.2% |
| 1983 | 12.7% | +26.3% |
| 1984 | 12.2% | -4.2% |
| 1985 | 10.4% | -14.4% |
| 1986 | 8.8% | -15.1% |
| 1987 | 10.2% | +15.0% |
| 1988 | 8.1% | -20.8% |
| 1989 | 5.5% | -31.7% |
| 1990 | 5.4% | -2.7% |
| 1991 | 4.7% | -12.8% |
| 1992 | 5.6% | +20.7% |
| 1993 | 4.8% | -15.5% |
| 1994 | 6.5% | +36.4% |
| 1995 | 5.6% | -14.0% |
| 1996 | 5.9% | +5.9% |
| 1997 | 6.4% | +8.9% |
| 1998 | 8.8% | +36.3% |
| 1999 | 7.3% | -17.2% |
| 2000 | 6.0% | -17.8% |
| 2001 | 6.8% | +14.3% |
| 2002 | 6.8% | -0.6% |
| 2003 | 7.3% | +7.3% |
| 2004 | 5.7% | -21.2% |
| 2005 | 4.8% | -16.5% |
| 2006 | 4.6% | -4.3% |
| 2007 | 5.4% | +17.6% |
| 2008 | 4.4% | -19.0% |
| 2009 | 5.9% | +35.8% |
| 2010 | 5.5% | -7.3% |
| 2011 | 5.4% | -1.6% |
| 2012 | 5.2% | -3.9% |
| 2013 | 5.4% | +4.3% |
| 2014 | 4.9% | -10.3% |
| 2015 | 6.8% | +40.9% |
| 2016 | 7.4% | +8.3% |
| 2017 | 7.4% | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 5.0% | -32.8% |
| 2019 | 4.6% | -7.0% |
| 2020 | 6.3% | +36.8% |
| 2021 | 5.8% | -8.9% |
| 2022 | 5.4% | -6.1% |
| 2023 | 5.3% | -2.2% |
| 2024 | 5.6% | +6.0% |
| 2025 | 5.5% | -1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 24.2% | 16.5% | 34.8% | 8 |
| 1970s | 19.3% | 10.9% | 32.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.8% | 5.5% | 12.7% | 9 |
| 1990s | 6.1% | 4.7% | 8.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.8% | 4.4% | 7.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.8% | 4.6% | 7.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.7% | 5.3% | 6.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 43 Trinidad and Tobago 22.7% compare
- 44 Cote d'Ivoire 22.7% compare
- 45 Somalia 22.4% compare
- 46 Rwanda 22.4% compare
- 47 Barbados 22.4% compare
- 48 Mauritius 22.4% compare
- 49 Mozambique 22.2% compare
More private sector data for South Asia
- Merchandise trade 30.0% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 50.3% (2025)
- Merchandise imports 864.53 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 223.66 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 12.6% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 69.8% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 510.58 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 433.30 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 301.72 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1115 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in South Asia?
- Food imports in South Asia was 5.5% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 34.8% in 1966.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.4% in 2008.
- How does South Asia rank for food imports?
- South Asia ranks 46th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is food imports rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia 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.