According to a study by Nature Food, only one country in the world – Guyana – can produce all seven major food groups domestically.
China and Vietnam each produce six categories of essential foods on their own.
The analysis covers key categories including starchy foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and pulses, providing a more complete picture of national food independence.
Most of the remaining countries (a total of 185 nations surveyed), including the United States, lag behind in at least two categories.
And even a high level of economic development does not guarantee food independence, as many rich countries depend on imports.
Food security is not just about producing enough calories; it is about providing the full range of nutrients needed for a balanced diet.
High-income countries often rank lower than expected. For example, Canada and the United States cover only four of the seven food groups. Despite high production of meat, dairy products and cereals, both countries rely heavily on imported fruits and vegetables.
This pattern reflects geographic and climatic characteristics. Northern countries have shorter growing seasons, which limits domestic production of fresh produce. As a result, even developed agricultural systems cannot fully provide a balanced diet within the country.
Agrarian Ukraine covers its needs in five categories. So do Romania, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Spain and Turkey.
And such countries as Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Yemen and some others do not produce on their own any of the listed products in amounts sufficient to cover the needs of the entire population.
