Only One Country Is Food Secure

Wars, pandemics, natural disasters and changes in trade policy can disrupt food supply chains around the world, potentially endangering the lives of millions of people. A study published in Nature Food evaluated the ability of 186 countries to achieve food self-sufficiency.

To identify deficiencies between domestic food production and the dietary needs of a country’s population, the researchers relied on food production data by the United Nations, as well as the Livewell diet developed by the World Wildlife Fund, a sustainable, predominantly plant-based eating plan that focuses on seven key food groups: vegetables, fruits, legumes, starchy foods, whole grains, lean meat and fish, and nuts.

Only Guyana was self-sufficient across the Livewell diet’s seven food groups, while China and Vietnam were self-sufficient in six groups. Only one in seven countries, mostly in Europe and South America, achieved self-sufficiency in five or more food groups, and one-third of all countries were self-sufficient in only one or two groups. Six countries, primarily in the Middle East, did not meet the needs of any food group. When grouped as an economic region, the United States, Canada and Mexico were deemed self-sufficient in five food groups.