Out of 186 countries, only one — Guyana — is fully self-sufficient in food production. The United States ranks among the top 15, with a food self-sufficiency score of 78, but we still import roughly 20% of what we eat. A new global study, featured in Science Focus, highlights how rare true food independence is — and why it’s a growing concern.
In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, trade instability, and supply chain disruptions, the independence of America’s domestic food system will define our national resilience.
One essential ingredient? Phosphate.
Phosphate is the mineral that helps farmers grow more food on less land. Without it, we can’t grow the crops that feed our nation — or the world. Yet despite its critical role, phosphate remains off the U.S. Critical Minerals List.
That’s a strategic oversight we need to fix.
Adding phosphate to the list would send a clear message: We’re serious about safeguarding America’s food supply, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting America’s farmers.
Florida’s heartland plays a vital role in this effort. It’s home to much of the phosphate that fertilizes U.S. crops, anchoring a supply chain that’s essential to our food production capacity. Recognizing phosphate as a critical mineral reinforces this supply chain — and helps close the gap between where we are and where we need to be.
Let’s elevate phosphate to where it belongs: on the Critical Minerals List.
