WILLAGRI
A scenario simulated by researchers shows that if global food trade stopped, only Guyana, a small country in South America, would be self-sufficient to meet all its basic food needs. The majority of countries are said to depend on international trade to survive. The study highlights the scarcity of food self-sufficiency and highlights the need to diversify trading partners to avoid crises related to supply disruptions. If global food trade stopped, only Guyana would be completely self-sufficient in the seven major food groups: Cereals, Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy, Meat, Starchy Foods and Fish. China and Vietnam follow with six out of seven categories, while a third of countries are self-sufficient in only two or fewer groups. Several countries, such as Afghanistan and Qatar, do not produce enough in any of the categories studied. The regional economic unions are unable to make up for these food deficits. The researchers recommend diversifying trading partners and strengthening supply chains to reduce the risks of over-dependence.
Source : Slate