Food imports in North America
North America: Food imports was 7.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in North America, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, food imports in North America stood at 7.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.4% on the previous year and up 24.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in North America peaked at 21.8% in 1963 and was at its lowest, 4.1%, in 2000.
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 | 18.2% | 14.1% | 21.8% | 8 |
| 1970s | 11.3% | 8.9% | 15.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.1% | 5.7% | 8.1% | 9 |
| 1990s | 5.3% | 4.7% | 6.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.7% | 4.1% | 5.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.9% | 5.3% | 6.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.1% | 6.9% | 7.3% | 5 |
More private sector data for North America
- Merchandise exports 2.74 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Manufactures exports 52.8% (2024)
- Food exports 10.3% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 4.09 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Manufactures imports 77.9% (2024)
- Merchandise trade 20.6% (2025)
- Commercial service exports 1.38 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Transport services 17.6% (2025)
- Computer, communications and other services 41.5% (2025)
- Commercial service imports 1.05 trillion current US$ (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in North America?
- Food imports in North America was 7.3% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in North America?
- The highest recorded value was 21.8% in 1963.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in North America?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.1% in 2000.
- Is food imports rising or falling in North America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North America 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.