Agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia
South Asia: Agricultural raw materials imports was 1.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia stood at 1.6%.
That represents a change of up 5.0% on the previous year and down 12.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia peaked at 8.9% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 2023.
South Asia ranks 16th of 47 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 8.9% | — |
| 1963 | 8.3% | -7.1% |
| 1964 | 8.0% | -2.6% |
| 1965 | 7.2% | -11.1% |
| 1966 | 7.3% | +1.4% |
| 1967 | 7.1% | -2.5% |
| 1968 | 6.8% | -3.2% |
| 1969 | 8.5% | +24.7% |
| 1970 | 8.9% | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 8.3% | -6.4% |
| 1972 | 8.4% | +1.1% |
| 1973 | 4.9% | -41.8% |
| 1974 | 2.0% | -59.1% |
| 1975 | 2.5% | +24.8% |
| 1976 | 2.9% | +17.8% |
| 1977 | 7.9% | +170.6% |
| 1978 | 5.8% | -26.5% |
| 1979 | 3.6% | -39.1% |
| 1980 | 2.1% | -41.6% |
| 1981 | 2.9% | +37.4% |
| 1983 | 3.2% | +12.9% |
| 1984 | 3.3% | +3.8% |
| 1985 | 3.5% | +4.6% |
| 1986 | 3.5% | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 3.9% | +9.5% |
| 1988 | 4.5% | +16.8% |
| 1989 | 3.9% | -13.4% |
| 1990 | 4.0% | +2.7% |
| 1991 | 3.2% | -20.9% |
| 1992 | 3.6% | +14.1% |
| 1993 | 3.5% | -5.0% |
| 1994 | 4.2% | +22.9% |
| 1995 | 3.9% | -8.1% |
| 1996 | 3.2% | -17.0% |
| 1997 | 3.5% | +9.3% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | -10.0% |
| 1999 | 3.1% | -3.3% |
| 2000 | 3.4% | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 3.8% | +11.7% |
| 2002 | 3.3% | -14.3% |
| 2003 | 3.4% | +4.0% |
| 2004 | 3.1% | -9.5% |
| 2005 | 2.4% | -20.5% |
| 2006 | 2.1% | -12.0% |
| 2007 | 2.3% | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 2.0% | -12.1% |
| 2009 | 1.9% | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 2.2% | +12.0% |
| 2011 | 2.1% | -3.5% |
| 2012 | 2.2% | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 2.2% | +1.9% |
| 2014 | 1.8% | -19.4% |
| 2015 | 2.3% | +28.5% |
| 2016 | 2.4% | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 2.2% | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 2.1% | -5.1% |
| 2019 | 1.9% | -12.5% |
| 2020 | 1.7% | -10.8% |
| 2021 | 1.7% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 1.7% | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 1.5% | -11.8% |
| 2024 | 1.6% | +5.0% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | +170.6% | 2.9% | 7.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7.8% | 6.8% | 8.9% | 8 |
| 1970s | 5.5% | 2.0% | 8.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.4% | 2.1% | 4.5% | 9 |
| 1990s | 3.5% | 3.1% | 4.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.8% | 1.9% | 3.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.1% | 1.8% | 2.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More agriculture & rural data for South Asia
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual -2.13 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 714.12 billion current US$ (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 15.6% (2025)
- Rural population 1.09 billion (2025)
- Rural population growth 0.4% (2025)
- Rural population 64.2% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 1.0% (2024)
- Rural population, per capita 0.6421 units per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3704 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 421.99 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia?
- Agricultural raw materials imports in South Asia was 1.6% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 8.9% in 1962.
- What is the lowest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 2023.
- How does South Asia rank for agricultural raw materials imports?
- South Asia ranks 16th out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is agricultural raw materials imports rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Agricultural raw materials imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agricultural raw materials comprise section 2 of SITC Rev. 3 (crude materials, inedible, except fuels) excluding divisions 22 (oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits), 27 (crude fertilizers and minerals excluding coal, petroleum, and precious stones), and 28 (metalliferous ores and scrap). 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.