Food exports (% of merchandise exports)
Countries By Food exports (% of merchandise exports)
Key points
- The data on Food exports (% of merchandise exports) indicates the proportion of food commodities exported compared to the total merchandise exports for each country.
- The range is quite diverse, with Belize having the highest percentage at 93.61%, showcasing a heavy reliance on food exports, while Qatar has the lowest percentage at 0.06%, indicating a minimal focus on food exports.
- On average, countries have around 24.06% of their merchandise exports attributed to food, reflecting the significance of the food industry in global trade.
- There is a mix of developed and developing countries in the dataset, with both high-income countries like the United States and low-income countries like Burundi having notable percentages of food exports.
- Countries such as Madagascar and Malawi stand out with exceptionally high percentages, highlighting the importance of food exports as a source of revenue for their economies.
Official Definition of Food exports (% of merchandise exports)
Food comprises the commodities in SITC sections 0 (food and live animals), 1 (beverages and tobacco), and 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) and SITC division 22 (oil seeds, oil nuts, and oil kernels).
Importance
- Food exports (% of merchandise exports) is a crucial macroeconomic statistic for a country as it indicates the dependency of the economy on agricultural products and food goods in its export market.
- A low value of this statistic suggests that the country may not be utilizing its agricultural resources effectively for international trade. This could imply missed opportunities for economic growth, foreign exchange earnings, and job creation in the agricultural sector.
- On the other hand, a high value of food exports (% of merchandise exports) signifies a strong agricultural sector with competitive advantages in producing and exporting food products. This can enhance the country's resilience to external economic shocks, improve food security, and bolster overall economic stability.
- Additionally, a high percentage of food exports in merchandise exports can also indicate the country's comparative advantage in agriculture, potentially leading to increased investments in the sector, technology advancement, and improved agricultural productivity.
Top 10 Countries by Food exports (% of merchandise exports)
Bottom 10 Countries by Food exports (% of merchandise exports)
Regions
Europe
The data on food exports (% of merchandise exports) for the listed countries varies significantly, ranging from 1.0% in Andorra to 52.98% in Moldova. Countries like Iceland, Ukraine, and Moldova have high percentages, indicating a heavy reliance on food exports. This could provide economic stability but also leaves them vulnerable to fluctuations in food prices. On the other hand, countries like the Czech Republic and Switzerland have lower percentages, suggesting diversified export bases. While this reduces vulnerability, it may limit potential gains from high food prices. Overall, the statistic reflects each country's economic specialization and vulnerability to external market dynamics, shaping their development trajectories accordingly.
Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia
Among the listed countries, Laos and Myanmar stand out with the highest percentages of food exports as a proportion of merchandise exports, at 28.07% and 28.50%, respectively. These countries heavily rely on food exports for their economic activity, which could be advantageous in terms of generating foreign exchange earnings but may leave them vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices. On the other hand, Brunei and Japan have the lowest percentages, indicating a lesser dependency on food exports. This diversity in reliance on food exports among the countries suggests varying levels of exposure to international market dynamics, affecting their economic stability and development in different ways.
ASEAN
Food exports as a percentage of merchandise exports vary significantly among the listed countries. Laos and Myanmar stand out with high percentages of 28.07% and 28.50% respectively, indicating a heavy reliance on food exports for their merchandise trade. Indonesia and Thailand follow with substantial percentages of 23.61% and 14.42% respectively. Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam fall in the mid-range between 8.78% to 10.07%, while Brunei, Cambodia, and Singapore have lower dependence ranging from 0.15% to 4.45%. This statistic reflects the agricultural export strengths of Laos and Myanmar but also highlights their vulnerability to fluctuations in food prices. Countries like Singapore have diversified economies but may lack self-sufficiency in food production. For all nations, the stability and growth of food exports play a crucial role in economic development and trade competitiveness.
Latin America
The data on Food exports (% of merchandise exports) for the selected countries shows wide variation in the reliance on food exports as a percentage of total merchandise exports. Countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay have high percentages indicating a significant dependence on food exports, while countries like Mexico have a much lower percentage. This statistic reflects the agricultural strength of each country and their global market positioning. Countries with high percentages may have a competitive advantage in agriculture but are vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices. On the other hand, countries with lower percentages may have diversified economies but could miss out on potential agricultural revenues. Overall, this statistic plays a crucial role in shaping trade policies, economic development strategies, and vulnerability to global market changes for these nations.
Middle East
The food exports as a percentage of merchandise exports vary significantly among the listed countries, ranging from as low as 0.06% for Qatar to as high as 33.38% for Cyprus. Countries like Armenia, Georgia, and Cyprus demonstrate a strong reliance on food exports, showcasing their agricultural strengths. However, this heavy dependence can also pose risks in times of market volatility or environmental challenges. For countries with lower percentages like Qatar and Kuwait, diversified economies may be more resilient. Overall, a high food export percentage can provide economic stability but may lead to vulnerability in global market shifts, while lower percentages indicate economic diversification and potentially lower risk exposure.
Rivals
Anglosphere v BRICS
Food exports (% of merchandise exports) data reveals significant variations among the listed countries. New Zealand stands out with a high value of 67.85%, indicating a heavy reliance on food exports. Brazil follows closely at 38.91%, showcasing a strong agricultural export sector. Conversely, China, with only 2.69%, and the United Kingdom at 7.62%, exhibit lower dependence on food exports. The impact of this statistic is crucial for economic development, as high percentages can signify vulnerability to fluctuations in global food prices but also provide stable revenue streams. For New Zealand and Brazil, this reliance brings economic stability but also risks, while for China and the UK, diversification may shield against market volatility.
Russia v Ukraine
The Food exports (% of merchandise exports) statistic for the Russian Federation stands at 8.32%, while Ukraine's value is notably higher at 44.87%. Ukraine has a comparative advantage in food exports compared to Russia, indicating a more diverse and competitive agricultural sector. However, overly relying on food exports can expose Ukraine to market volatility and price fluctuations. For Russia, the lower percentage implies a less significant reliance on food exports, potentially indicating a more diversified export base. The impact of this statistic on development varies; Ukraine may benefit from increased revenue but faces risks of overdependence, while Russia's diversified exports may provide more stability but could potentially miss out on revenue from a booming agricultural sector.
France v United Kingdom
France has a relatively high percentage of food exports, standing at 13.97% of merchandise exports, indicating a strong agricultural sector and potentially high global demand for French food products. In contrast, the United Kingdom has a lower percentage at 7.62%, reflecting a less dominant position in food exports. France's advantage lies in its reputation for high-quality food products, but this heavy reliance on food exports can also make its economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices. The UK's lower percentage may suggest a more diverse export base, providing resilience against shocks in the global food market. The impact of this statistic on both countries' development is significant, as it influences their trade balances, agricultural policies, and vulnerability to food price shocks.
Israel v Iran
Iran has a higher Food exports (% of merchandise exports) percentage at 17.53% compared to Israel's 3.73%. This indicates that Iran relies more on food exports as a portion of its total merchandise exports than Israel. For Iran, the advantage lies in potentially capturing a larger share of the global food market, enhancing revenue generation. However, this heavy reliance on food exports could pose a risk during fluctuations in food prices or demand. In contrast, Israel's lower percentage suggests a more diversified export base, reducing vulnerability to food market volatility. The impact of this statistic on both countries' development lies in the stability and growth of their agricultural sectors and global food trade relationships.
Saudi Arabia v Iran
Iran has a high Food exports (% of merchandise exports) ratio of 17.53%, indicating a significant portion of its merchandise exports come from food-related products. This demonstrates Iran's strength in the food export sector, providing a diversified revenue stream. However, an over-reliance on food exports could expose Iran to market volatility and fluctuations in global food prices. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a lower ratio at 1.90%, suggesting a less prominent role of food exports in its merchandise trade. This could indicate a more diverse export profile, reducing vulnerability to fluctuations in the food market. While high food exports can boost economic growth, diversification is crucial for long-term stability and resilience in the face of market uncertainties.
India v Pakistan
India has a food exports percentage of 12.77%, while Pakistan stands at 19.27%. Pakistan leads in this statistic, indicating a higher reliance on food exports for its merchandise trade compared to India. This reliance could be an advantage for Pakistan in terms of foreign exchange earnings; however, it also poses a vulnerability to external market fluctuations. India, with a lower percentage, may have a more diversified export base, reducing the risk associated with a heavy dependence on food exports. For both countries, maintaining a balance in food exports is crucial for sustainable economic development, ensuring food security, and mitigating external trade risks.
Turkey v Greece
Greece's food exports account for 21.73% of its total merchandise exports, indicating a significant reliance on food products for international trade. In contrast, Turkey's food exports make up 12.00% of its merchandise exports, suggesting a lesser focus on food-related goods in its export portfolio. Greece benefits from a diverse range of food exports, showcasing its agricultural strength, but this heavy reliance on food can also make its economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices. On the other hand, Turkey's lower percentage may signify a more diversified export base, reducing its vulnerability to food market volatility. This statistic highlights the importance of the agricultural sector in both countries' economies and emphasizes the need for strategic planning to ensure economic stability.
China v Japan
China, People's Republic of, has a Food exports (% of merchandise exports) of 2.69%, indicating a significant portion of its exports are in the food sector. In contrast, Japan has a lower percentage at 1.20%, suggesting a smaller reliance on food exports. China's advantage lies in its diverse agricultural sector, allowing for a higher volume of food exports. However, this could also expose it to fluctuations in global food prices. Japan's lower reliance on food exports may indicate a more diversified export portfolio, reducing vulnerability to food market volatility. This statistic reflects China's focus on agricultural production for export-driven growth, while Japan's strategy likely involves higher value-added exports in other sectors.
FAQs
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Which country has the most food exports (% of merchandise exports)?
Answer: Belize has the highest food exports at 93.61% of merchandise exports. -
Which country has the least food exports (% of merchandise exports)?
Answer: Qatar has the least food exports at 0.06% of merchandise exports. -
What is the average food exports (% of merchandise exports) among the listed countries?
Answer: The average food exports across the countries listed is 24.06% of merchandise exports.