This Is The Only Country In The World That Grows All The Food It Needs

Last Updated:June 05, 2025, 13:29 IST

According to the report, most countries depend on a single nation for over half their food imports, risking severe impacts on prices and supply during a market shock

This country produces every essential food group—grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and fish—on its own. (Representative/AP)

Amid ongoing conflicts from Europe to the Middle East, countries are turning inward, prioritising self-reliance and food security. In this global landscape, one nation stands out as the only country completely self-sufficient across all seven major food groups—a rare distinction in an increasingly interdependent world.

This country, with a population of just around 8 lakhs, has managed its agriculture and resources so efficiently that it can sustain itself even if all global borders were to close. It produces every essential food group—grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and fish—on its own. Remarkably, this self-sufficient nation is Guyana, a small country in South America.

A recent study by the University of Göttingen in Germany and the University of Edinburgh in the UK, published in the journal Nature Food, has revealed this finding. The study assessed the food production capacity of 186 countries, highlighting Guyana’s unique position.

How Self-Reliant Are Other Countries?

China and Vietnam closely follow, being nearly self-sufficient in six food groups. However, only 14% of countries, or one in seven countries, are self-sufficient in five or more groups. Alarmingly, over a third of the countries studied can only produce two or fewer food groups independently. Countries such as Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Macau, Qatar and Yemen are not self-sufficient in any food group.

Economic Unions Also Failed

If individual countries struggle to be self-sufficient, it might be expected that economic unions—groups of countries—would perform better. However, this report indicates that the reality is quite the opposite.

The Gulf Cooperation Council is self-sufficient only in meat. West Africa and the Caribbean Union are the only two groups that have achieved self-sufficiency. No union has become self-sufficient in vegetables. In other words, even together, the world’s major economic unions cannot grow enough vegetables to sustain themselves.

Why Is This Situation Dangerous?

If global trade comes to a halt for any reason—such as war, pandemic or climate emergency—the lives of billions could be at risk. According to the report, most countries rely on just one nation for the majority of their food imports. Importing more than half of their food from a single trade partner can be extremely risky in the event of a ‘market shock,’ potentially disrupting food prices, supply chains, and public health.

Where Do India And America Stand?

India is a large agriculture-based economy, but due to its growing population and the climate crisis, it is not self-sufficient in every food group. The country relies heavily on imports, especially for items like oil, pulses, and fruits.

On the other hand, the US, despite its advanced land and technology, is not considered self-sufficient in all food groups due to a lack of diet diversity. The US also depends on imports for many essential commodities such as seafood and tropical fruits.

What Is the Way Forward?

According to researcher Jonas Stehl, a developmental economist at the University of Göttingen, “ food trade and cooperation are extremely important, but heavy dependence on a single country must be avoided. Resilient food supply chains need to be created to protect public health."

Guyana

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