Food imports (% of merchandise imports)



Countries By Food imports (% of merchandise imports)



Key points



Official Definition of Food imports (% of merchandise imports)

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 imports (% of merchandise imports) is a crucial macroeconomic statistic that can have significant implications for a country's economy and development.



Top 10 Countries by Food imports (% of merchandise imports)

Bottom 10 Countries by Food imports (% of merchandise imports)



Regions

Europe

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) can provide valuable insights into a country's food security and economic structure. Among the listed countries, Montenegro stands out with the highest food import percentage at 22.30%, indicating potential vulnerabilities in domestic food production. Countries like Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with lower percentages at 4.61% and 6.01% respectively, showcase a more self-sufficient approach. While high food import percentages may boost consumer choice, they also pose risks of supply chain disruptions and dependency. On the other hand, lower percentages reflect a stronger agricultural sector but could limit variety and potentially drive up prices. For each country, managing this statistic effectively is crucial for ensuring both food security and economic stability.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) is a crucial macroeconomic indicator reflecting a country's reliance on foreign food sources. Among the selected countries, Laos and Papua New Guinea have the highest food import percentages, indicating vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and global price fluctuations. Singapore, with the lowest percentage, showcases self-sufficiency and minimal exposure to international food market risks. Higher percentages, such as Myanmar and Indonesia, suggest potential challenges in achieving food security and managing trade imbalances. Countries with lower percentages like Korea and Australia enjoy more stable domestic agricultural sectors but may face limited culinary diversity. The implications range from economic stability risks to food security concerns, impacting development strategies and trade policies uniquely in each country.

ASEAN

Food imports as a percentage of merchandise imports vary among the listed countries with Brunei at 10.77%, Cambodia at 8.28%, Indonesia at 12.61%, Laos at 19.13%, Malaysia at 8.90%, Myanmar at 13.14%, Philippines at 13.79%, Singapore at 4.11%, Thailand at 7.62%, and Vietnam at 7.76%. Laos leads in dependency on food imports, followed by the Philippines and Myanmar. Singapore has the lowest dependency. Countries with high percentages face risks of inflation and supply chain disruptions, while those with lower percentages benefit from greater food security but may lack diverse food options. The statistic reflects economic vulnerability, impacting development strategies, trade balance, and agricultural policies for each country.

Latin America

Food imports as a percentage of merchandise imports vary among the listed countries. El Salvador and Honduras have the highest dependency on food imports, at 21.78% and 21.81% respectively, which may indicate vulnerabilities in food security and exposure to international price fluctuations. On the other hand, Brazil and Mexico have lower percentages, suggesting a more self-sustainable food production system. While a high percentage may provide access to a diverse food supply, it also exposes a country to external market risks. For countries like Argentina and Paraguay, with moderate percentages, there is a balance to be struck between self-reliance and diversity. Overall, this statistic reflects each country's economic resilience, agricultural productivity, and vulnerability to global food market dynamics.

Middle East

The Food imports (% of merchandise imports) statistic reveals a range of reliance on food imports among the listed countries. Countries like Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have lower percentages at 6.72% and 6.83%, respectively, indicating higher food self-sufficiency. On the contrary, the State of Palestine tops the list at 33.69%, signifying significant dependence on imported food. While lower percentages suggest better food security and economic stability, higher percentages expose vulnerabilities to external food supply disruptions, price fluctuations, and currency exchange risks. Enhancing domestic agricultural production could boost self-reliance and resilience for countries with high percentages like Palestine and Iran, reducing their susceptibility to global food market volatility.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) vary among the selected countries, with New Zealand having the highest value at 13.41%, indicating a higher dependency on imported food products, followed by the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom. India has the lowest percentage at 5.49%, suggesting a more self-sufficient food production capacity. Higher food import percentages can provide food security but may leave countries vulnerable to price fluctuations in the global market. Conversely, lower percentages demonstrate self-reliance but could limit access to diverse food options. This statistic reflects each country's trade dynamics, agricultural capabilities, and economic resilience.

Russia v Ukraine

In terms of food imports as a percentage of merchandise imports, the Russian Federation stands at 12.07% while Ukraine is slightly lower at 11.79%. The Russian Federation, with a higher percentage, may indicate a higher dependency on imported food compared to Ukraine. This could be advantageous in ensuring food stability but may pose a risk in times of global trade disruptions. On the other hand, Ukraine's lower percentage suggests a relatively more self-sufficient food system, potentially providing resilience against external shocks but limiting exposure to a diverse range of food products. The impact of this statistic on development could lead to varying levels of food security and economic vulnerability for each country, shaping their strategic trade policies and domestic agricultural production decisions.

France v United Kingdom

France and the United Kingdom have food imports accounting for approximately 10.53% and 10.11% of their respective merchandise imports. France's slightly higher percentage indicates a relatively greater dependency on imported food compared to the United Kingdom. This reliance may offer France a wider variety of food choices, but it also exposes the country to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations in the global food market. In contrast, the United Kingdom's lower percentage suggests a more self-sufficient food industry, potentially offering greater food security but limiting access to certain imported goods. Managing this statistic is crucial for both countries' economic development, as it affects their domestic food production, trade balances, and vulnerability to external shocks.

Israel v Iran

Iran has a food imports (% of merchandise imports) rate of 26.76%, indicating a significant reliance on imported food products. This high percentage suggests a vulnerability to fluctuations in global food prices and trade disruptions. Conversely, Israel has a lower rate of 10.05%, signaling a relatively greater food self-sufficiency. Iran's high reliance on food imports could pose challenges in ensuring food security and price stability, but it provides access to a diverse range of food products. In contrast, Israel's lower dependence may offer more stability in the face of external disruptions, but it could limit access to certain food items and expose the country to potential shortages in times of crisis.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran has a food imports (% of merchandise imports) value of 26.76%, indicating a significant reliance on imported food products. In contrast, Saudi Arabia's value stands at 15.49%, reflecting a comparatively lower dependency on food imports. Iran's high percentage suggests vulnerability to fluctuations in international food prices and supply chain disruptions. While it provides food security, it may strain foreign exchange reserves. In contrast, Saudi Arabia's lower percentage signifies a more diversified economy and possibly a stronger agricultural sector. This could lead to more stable prices domestically but may hinder the variety of available food products.

India v Pakistan

India has a relatively low Food imports (% of merchandise imports) percentage at 5.49, indicating a strong level of food self-sufficiency. In contrast, Pakistan's percentage stands higher at 14.99, suggesting a higher dependency on food imports. India's advantage lies in its ability to maintain a stable food supply chain and reduce vulnerability to external market fluctuations. However, this self-reliance could limit exposure to diverse food options or affect international trade relationships. Pakistan's disadvantage is the potential susceptibility to price volatility and supply chain disruptions. This statistic's impact on their development could mean different economic stability levels, with India possibly having more control over its food security but potentially missing out on market diversity, while Pakistan may benefit from a wider range of food products but face greater economic risks and vulnerability to external factors.

Turkey v Greece

In analyzing the Food imports (% of merchandise imports) statistic for Greece and Turkey, we observe that Greece has a higher percentage at 13.08% compared to Turkey's 6.72%. This indicates that Greece relies more on food imports as a percentage of its total merchandise imports than Turkey does. Greece benefits from a diverse range of imported food products, ensuring food security but also faces a vulnerability to external price fluctuations. On the other hand, Turkey, with a lower percentage, exhibits a higher level of self-sufficiency in food production, providing more stability but potentially limiting access to certain products. The impact of this statistic on their development lies in Greece's need to manage external dependencies carefully, while Turkey focuses on enhancing domestic agricultural capabilities to ensure resilience.

China v Japan

China, People's Republic of, has a food import percentage of 8.21%, indicating a moderate reliance on imported food items. In contrast, Japan's food imports constitute 10.58% of its total merchandise imports, showing a slightly higher dependency on foreign food sources. China benefits from lower reliance, ensuring food security and reducing vulnerability to international market fluctuations. However, a lower reliance may limit exposure to diverse culinary options. Japan, although more dependent, gains access to a wider variety of foods but faces higher susceptibility to supply chain disruptions. This statistic impacts both countries' development by influencing their agricultural policies, trade relationships, and domestic food production strategies.



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