Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Food imports (% of merchandise imports) was 9.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in United Kingdom, 1962–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2025, food imports in United Kingdom stood at 9.8%.
That represents a change of down 5.2% on the previous year and up 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in United Kingdom peaked at 37.1% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 7.8%, in 2000.
United Kingdom ranks 161st of 196 countries 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 37.1% | — |
| 1963 | 36.8% | -0.8% |
| 1964 | 34.0% | -7.6% |
| 1965 | 31.7% | -6.9% |
| 1966 | 30.6% | -3.3% |
| 1967 | 28.9% | -5.4% |
| 1968 | 25.5% | -12.0% |
| 1969 | 24.6% | -3.5% |
| 1970 | 24.2% | -1.5% |
| 1971 | 23.6% | -2.5% |
| 1972 | 22.4% | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 21.0% | -6.2% |
| 1974 | 17.9% | -14.8% |
| 1975 | 19.3% | +7.8% |
| 1976 | 17.3% | -10.2% |
| 1977 | 17.9% | +3.2% |
| 1978 | 16.3% | -8.6% |
| 1979 | 14.7% | -10.0% |
| 1980 | 13.2% | -10.4% |
| 1981 | 14.1% | +7.0% |
| 1982 | 13.8% | -2.0% |
| 1983 | 13.0% | -6.3% |
| 1984 | 12.3% | -4.9% |
| 1985 | 11.9% | -3.3% |
| 1986 | 12.5% | +4.9% |
| 1987 | 11.5% | -7.7% |
| 1988 | 10.5% | -8.7% |
| 1989 | 9.9% | -5.9% |
| 1990 | 10.3% | +3.8% |
| 1991 | 11.2% | +8.4% |
| 1992 | 11.2% | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 10.8% | -3.6% |
| 1994 | 10.3% | -4.8% |
| 1995 | 10.1% | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 10.1% | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 9.5% | -6.2% |
| 1998 | 9.3% | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 9.0% | -4.1% |
| 2000 | 7.8% | -13.2% |
| 2001 | 8.2% | +5.4% |
| 2002 | 8.5% | +3.7% |
| 2003 | 9.0% | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 8.8% | -1.7% |
| 2005 | 8.8% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 8.1% | -7.5% |
| 2007 | 8.5% | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 9.0% | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 9.7% | +8.2% |
| 2010 | 9.0% | -7.1% |
| 2011 | 9.0% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 8.8% | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 9.9% | +12.1% |
| 2014 | 9.7% | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 9.8% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 9.3% | -5.2% |
| 2017 | 9.6% | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 9.7% | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 9.2% | -5.2% |
| 2020 | 10.1% | +10.4% |
| 2021 | 9.4% | -6.9% |
| 2022 | 9.1% | -3.7% |
| 2023 | 9.9% | +9.7% |
| 2024 | 10.3% | +4.0% |
| 2025 | 9.8% | -5.2% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 9.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.9%, 76% of the median. (71 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 9.8% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 12.4%, 79% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 31.2% | 24.6% | 37.1% | 8 |
| 1970s | 19.5% | 14.7% | 24.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 12.3% | 9.9% | 14.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.2% | 9.0% | 11.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.6% | 7.8% | 9.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.4% | 8.8% | 9.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.8% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More private sector data for United Kingdom
- Merchandise trade 37.6% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 56.7% (2025)
- Merchandise imports 948.64 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 448.00 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 6.7% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 59.7% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 555.83 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 714.60 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 7,999 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1389 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in United Kingdom?
- Food imports in United Kingdom was 9.8% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 37.1% in 1962.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.8% in 2000.
- How does United Kingdom rank for food imports?
- United Kingdom ranks 161st out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is food imports rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.