Whether or not greater dependence on food imports implies a greater risk of food insecurity depends on whether the change reflects a shift of resources from food production into more remunerative activities (and the fact that the opportunity cost of importing food is lower than the opportunity cost of producing it domestically) or is a result of fundamental development failure. Which is the case should be reflected in income levels and the availability of foreign exchange. The highest proportion of net food importers are found in the low-income and high-income groups, respectively. For all countries that depend on food imports, the reliability of the world market as a source of supplies is essential for food security.