Food imports in Laos
Laos: Food imports was 12.7% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in Laos, 1962–2023
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
Laos recorded 12.7% for food imports in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 26.4% on the previous year and up 204.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Laos peaked at 40.9% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 4.2%, in 2014.
That places Laos 122nd out of 196 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 34.9% | 30.5% | 40.9% | 8 |
| 1970s | 29.6% | 23.9% | 33.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 9.2% | 4.2% | 15.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.3% | 12.7% | 19.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Laos
- 119 Bangladesh 13.0% compare
- 120 Saudi Arabia 13.0% compare
- 121 New Zealand 12.8% compare
- 123 Kyrgyzstan 12.6% compare
- 124 Spain 12.5% compare
- 125 Georgia 12.5% compare
More private sector data for Laos
- Merchandise exports 12.38 billion current US$ (2025)
- Manufactures exports 32.8% (2023)
- Food exports 23.2% (2023)
- Merchandise imports 10.34 billion current US$ (2025)
- Manufactures imports 61.7% (2023)
- Merchandise trade 124.1% (2025)
- Commercial service exports 1.73 billion current US$ (2024)
- Transport services 27.6% (2024)
- Computer, communications and other services 6.0% (2024)
- Commercial service imports 1.27 billion current US$ (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Laos?
- Food imports in Laos was 12.7% in 2023, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 40.9% in 1966.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2% in 2014.
- How does Laos rank for food imports?
- Laos ranks 122nd out of 196 countries with data for 2023.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 204.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos 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.