International trade

Data insights

International trade is the backbone of the global economy, facilitating the exchange of goods, services and ideas across borders. It fosters economic growth, enhances productivity and drives innovation. This collection of thematic insights delves into key aspects of international trade, offering a deeper understanding of its diverse components.

Developed economies import nearly twice as much food as developing

Food imports by development status, in billions dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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Developed economies import more food than developing, respectively reaching $1 090 billion and $673 billion in 2023. The share of developing economies food imports in global food imports slowly increased from about 20% in 1995 to nearly 30% in 2008. After then, surpassing 35% in 2014, it remained more steady until a spike in 2021 and 2022 when the share reached 40%, falling slightly to 38% in 2023.

Data updated on 20 Mar 2025

Developed Oceania’s food imports mostly comprise processed food

Proportion of food imports that are processed (categories C, D and E) by region

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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Looking at processed food (categories C, D, and E) as a proportion of total food imports, Developed Oceania and Developed Americas have the largest shares, standing at around 73% and 54%, respectively. Developing Africa and Developing Americas have seen growth in their proportions over the time period until the early 2010s, plateauing since. In 2023, they stand at 35% and 40%, respectively. 

Developed economies (as a group) also consistently import more processed food as a share of their food imports at about 50%, compared to about 34% for developing economies.

Data updated on 20 Mar 2025

Metadata

The food categories are detailed by level of processing in this list:

  • [A] Raw - unprocessed*, fresh, chilled, frozen
  • [B] Minimally processed - cooked, steamed, or dried; crude oils
  • [C] Processed - added salt/pickled/brined; added sugar**; smoked
  • [D] Processed - fermentation*** / smoking (neither salted nor brined)
  • [E] Composite foods; Preparations/refined oils
  • [F] Ingredients - spices et al; products provisionally preserved but unsuitable for immediate consumption in that form; ingredients for brewing
  • [G] Precursors - seeds, trees, etc. for sowing, fertilized eggs, livestock, bees

Notes: * Non-alcoholic beverages: will include non-SSBs (unsweetened water).
** Non-alcoholic beverages: will include SSBs; where salted and smoked, salted is identified as processing.
*** Alcoholic beverages.

Using the trade matrix of processing by food categories, users are advised to exert usual caution when using and interpreting the data. Full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Trade by food processing, detailed by food category.

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