Guyana becomes the world’s only fully food-self-sufficient country in 2025

Guyana has emerged as the only country in the world that can fully feed itself without relying on food imports, according to a comprehensive 2025 study published in the journal Nature Food.

The report evaluated 186 countries based on their ability to produce seven key food groups locally, and only Guyana passed all benchmarks.

This stunning achievement places the South American nation at the centre of a crucial global conversation about sustainability, agricultural resilience, and national food security.

According to the Nature Food study, researchers analysed national self-sufficiency based on availability and domestic production of fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, cereals and grains, pulses and legumes, oils and fats.

Guyana is the only country that meets 100% of its population’s nutritional requirements across all seven categories without the need for food imports.

Guyana's agricultural strengths include rice and sugarcane production (key cereals and cash crops), extensive fruit and vegetable farming (including bananas, citrus, and root vegetables), growing livestock and dairy sectors, access to both inland and marine fisheries, and a tropical climate with two growing seasons per year.

How Guyana achieved this

During a recent visit to Cane Grove farmers, the country's Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, emphasised that Guyana is now the only country fully able to feed its population without food imports, thanks to the government’s strong focus on agriculture.

He highlighted major investments, including over $104 billion in the 2025 budget for boosting crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and agro-processing. Mustapha also noted that Guyana’s national policies integrate food systems with sustainability, health, and climate resilience.

Additionally, Guyana’s leadership in the “25 by 2025” CARICOM initiative, aimed at cutting regional food imports by 25%, highlights its strong commitment to food security and economic growth. Despite climate-related challenges, the government remains confident in reaching its goals through continued agricultural innovation and diversification.