Food Self-Sufficiency in the World’s 10 Most Populated Countries

With over 8 billion people on Earth, ensuring food security is a monumental task, especially when it comes to the world’s 10 most populated countries, each of which has well over 100 million people. Distribution alone costs millions each day in fuel and ensuring consistent deliveries across a big country comes with a lot of problems. The 10 following countries are the most populated on earth and contain about 60% of the human race.

1. India (~1.44 billion people)

Total Foodgrain Production (2023–24): 329.7 million tonnes

Rice Production: ~130 million tonnes

Wheat Production: ~110 million tonnes

Milk Production: ~230 million tonnes (world’s largest producer)

Imports: Edible oils (~15 million tonnes), pulses (~2.5 million tonnes)

India is largely self-sufficient in staples like rice and wheat. However, it heavily relies on imports for edible oils and certain pulses.

2. China (~1.42 billion people)

Total Agricultural Output (2023): $1.69 trillion

Rice Production: ~204 million tonnes

Wheat Production: ~127 million tonnes

Corn Production: ~247 million tonnes

Soybean Imports: ~100 million tonnes

(primarily for animal feed)

China produces the majority of its staple grains but is heavily dependent on soybean imports, mainly from Brazil and the U.S., to support its livestock industry.

3. United States (~336 million people)

Corn Production: ~384 million tonnes

Soybean Production: ~116 million tonnes

Wheat Production: ~49 million tonnes

Agricultural Exports (2023): $171.15 billion

The U.S. is a net food exporter, with significant surpluses in corn, soybeans, and wheat. Imports are mainly for variety, including tropical fruits and specialty products.

4. Indonesia (~282 million people)

Rice Production (2023): ~83 million tonnes

Palm Oil Production: ~45 million tonnes (world’s largest producer)

Soybean Imports: ~2.5 million tonnes

Wheat Imports: ~11 million tonnes

Indonesia is self-sufficient in rice and palm oil but relies heavily on imports for wheat and soybeans, essential for its growing processed food industry.

5. Pakistan (~247 million people)

Wheat Production: ~26 million tonnes

Rice Production: ~9 million tonnes

Sugarcane Production: ~81 million tonnes

Edible Oil Imports: ~3 million tonnes

Pakistan is self-sufficient in wheat and rice but imports significant quantities of edible oils and pulses to meet domestic demand.

6. Nigeria (~229 million people)

Cassava Production: ~59.6 million tonnes (world’s largest producer)

Yam Production: ~47.5 million tonnes

Rice Production: ~6.8 million tonnes

Wheat Imports: ~5 million tonnes

Nigeria produces substantial quantities of root crops but is heavily reliant on imports of wheat and rice to satisfy urban consumption patterns.

7. Brazil (~216 million people)

Soybean Production: ~154.6 million tonnes

Corn Production: ~131.9 million tonnes

Sugarcane Production: ~630.7 million tonnes

Beef Production: ~10 million tonnes

Brazil is a major food exporter, leading in soybeans, sugar, and beef. However, domestic consumption of staples like rice and beans has declined due to export-oriented agricultural policies.

8. Bangladesh (~174 million people)

Rice Production (2022–23): ~39.1 million tonnes

Rice Imports: ~1.05 million tonnes

Bangladesh is largely self-sufficient in rice but imports small quantities to stabilize domestic markets and ensure food security.

9. Russia (~144 million people)

Wheat Production: ~85 million tonnes

Grain Exports: ~45 million tonnes

Russia is a leading wheat exporter and self-sufficient in most food categories. However, it imports certain fruits and vegetables to meet consumer demand.

10. Mexico (~132 million people)

Corn Production: ~27 million tonnes (primarily white corn)

Corn Imports: ~17 million tonnes (primarily yellow corn for livestock feed)

Mexico is self-sufficient in white corn used for tortillas but relies heavily on imports of yellow corn and soybeans for animal feed and processed foods.

Global Insights:

Self-Sufficient Nations: The U.S., Brazil, and Russia produce surpluses and are major food exporters.

Import-Dependent Countries: Nigeria, Indonesia, and Mexico rely significantly on imports to meet their food demands.

Common Imports: Soybeans and wheat are among the most imported commodities, essential for livestock feed and processed foods.

Urbanization Impact: Rapid urban growth increases demand for processed and imported foods, even in agriculturally rich nations.

Climate Challenges: Climate change poses risks to agricultural productivity, affecting both self-sufficiency and imports.