Only One Nation In The World Can Feed Itself

Jimmy Chan Pexels

The journal Food Nature published a paper titled “Gap between national food production and food-based dietary guidance highlights lack of national self-sufficiency.” Across seven major food groups, only one nation produced enough of each to make itself self-sufficient in terms of feeding its population. The country is Guyana.

Much of the food challenge is due to rising nationalism, which has disrupted food imports and exports. The research aimed to identify which nations could meet guidelines for a healthy diet. Seven food groups were used to make the determination. Small nations, in particular, have these trade hurdles. And, growing enough food across the broad array is impossible. 

China And Vietnam

Among the events that have made the matter worse are the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. 

Of the 186 nations in the report, 154 could produce 2 to 5 of the seven food groups. China and Vietnam reached 6.

The study shows the extent to which trade is essential to food health. As trade barriers become more widespread, so does this problem.


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