Tag: Food self sufficiency

Japan, the world's third-largest importer of agricultural and food products, faces a significant food self-sufficiency challenge. The compelling reasons why was it necessary for Japan to import so much of its food are deeply rooted in its unique geography, demographic changes, and economic history.

While the United States was historically a net agricultural exporter, it became a net food importer for the first time in 2023. This shift raises a critical question: Could the United States feed itself if necessary? The answer is not a simple yes or no, involving complex factors from policy to production.

According to a June 2025 study published in *Nature Food*, Guyana is the only country among 186 nations that can claim total food self-sufficiency across all key food groups. This surprising finding reveals the complex and interconnected nature of the global food supply chain, demonstrating that even food-exporting powerhouses are not entirely independent.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan's 2018 report, Pakistan is largely self-sufficient in major staples like wheat, rice, and milk, yet imports for certain food items have risen consistently over the years. The complex reality of food sufficiency in Pakistan involves a delicate balance between impressive agricultural output and significant vulnerabilities to economic and environmental factors.

According to a 2025 study, only Guyana was found to be fully self-sufficient across seven key food groups. While this may answer the question of which country has enough food from a self-sufficiency perspective, the reality of global food security is far more nuanced than domestic production alone suggests.

Japan's calorie-based food self-sufficiency rate stood at just 38% in fiscal 2021, one of the lowest among developed countries. This statistic is central to understanding the complex answer to the question, "Is there food scarcity in Japan?", as it reveals a deep-seated reliance on global supply chains that recent events have shown can be vulnerable.