Trade of agricultural commodities 2010–2023

FAOSTAT released new data on trade of agricultural commodities, for the period 2010–2023. Trade is essential in agrifood systems, enabling the distribution of agricultural commodities worldwide. It enhances access to healthy and affordable food, playing a significant role in food security, nutrition and safety – a vital element for countries that cannot produce enough to meet their domestic demand. Trade impacts numerous economic and social factors, such as market dynamics, agricultural productivity and the diversity of its outputs, the assortment, and the quality and safety of food products, and ultimately, dietary composition.

The FAOSTAT trade data domain disseminates statistics on the international trade of food and agricultural products for the period of 1961–2023. The food and agricultural trade datasets are collected, processed and disseminated by FAO according to the standard international merchandise trade statistics methodology.

The 2024 update looks at the overall trade of agricultural products, food excluding fish and the main commodity groups for the period 2010–2023.

Main findings:

• The monetary value of global agricultural exports in 2023 was 1.7 times higher in nominal terms than in 2010, while the share of agriculture in total merchandise trade value increased from 7 percent in 2010 to 8 percent in 2023.
• The Americas is the largest net food exporter, and Asia is the largest net food importer. Europe became a net food exporter in 2013. Oceania reclaimed its status as the second-largest net exporter in 2023.
• In 2023, the export unit values of rapeseed and soybean oilseeds declined by 23 percent and 10 percent, respectively, from their 2022 record levels. Global soybean production increased by 17.4 million tonnes, driven primarily by Brazil's 30.8 million tonnes surge in output and improved yields.
• Global wheat exports increased to 199.1 million tonnes in 2023, 8.1 million tonnes higher than in 2022.
• This year’s data release introduces trade indicators and nutrient values. This addition offers valuable insights into global food trade as it provides a deeper understanding of the nutritional dimension of trade and key trade indicators.