10 World’s Biggest Cassava Producers- Cassava is one of the most important crops that has multi benefits to humans’ nutrition. Many countries in the world used this plant to supply the energy of humans. Besides meeting human nutrition, Cassava can be used to Animal Feed, Biofuel, and Laundry starch (Starch for shirts and other garments). Historically, Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) comes from the tropics area around Central America and South America.


Taxonomically, based on the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (Cabi)) Database, Cassava can be included into Kingdom: Plantae; Phylum: Spermatophyta; Subphylum: Angiospermae; Class: Dicotyledonae; Order: Malpighiales; Family: Euphorbiaceous; Genus: Manihot; Species: M. esculenta. Basically, agronomically, this crop can be planted in the arid region because of its resistance to the drought conditions. So far, many regions with fewer precipitations plant this species to increase the land productivity and produce some food in a drought areas.
Based on world statistics on FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021, The World’s Production of Cassava from 1980 to 2021 has increased from time to time. In 1980, the world’s production of cassava reached
124 million tonnes with harvested areas around 13 million hectares. Furthermore, th world’s production of cassava in 2021 reached 314 million tonnes with harvested areas around 29 million hectares. Based on the yield, the value
of yield relatively stable with range around 9-11 tonnes per hectares (t/ha).
The World’s Harvested Areas, Production, and Yield of Cassava From 1980 to 2021
Years | World’s Harvested Areas | World’s Production | Yield/Productivity |
---|---|---|---|
(Hectares (Ha)) | (Tonnes) | (Tonnes/Hectare) | |
1980 | 13,599,970 | 124,123,046 | 9.13 |
1981 | 13,771,378 | 127,501,451 | 9.26 |
1982 | 13,979,769 | 128,836,741 | 9.22 |
1983 | 13,598,318 | 126,873,868 | 9.33 |
1984 | 14,130,469 | 133,227,300 | 9.43 |
1985 | 13,832,003 | 135,840,047 | 9.82 |
1986 | 13,938,600 | 134,215,045 | 9.63 |
1987 | 14,177,741 | 138,121,384 | 9.74 |
1988 | 14,650,830 | 144,864,755 | 9.89 |
1989 | 15,353,299 | 152,872,326 | 9.96 |
1990 | 15,208,585 | 152,364,845 | 10.02 |
1991 | 16,320,810 | 160,404,999 | 9.83 |
1992 | 16,611,197 | 162,002,815 | 9.75 |
1993 | 16,566,741 | 163,185,176 | 9.85 |
1994 | 16,782,501 | 164,499,381 | 9.80 |
1995 | 16,408,366 | 161,785,644 | 9.86 |
1996 | 16,229,441 | 158,371,466 | 9.76 |
1997 | 16,019,927 | 161,744,960 | 10.10 |
1998 | 16,506,757 | 162,609,669 | 9.85 |
1999 | 16,805,312 | 168,843,655 | 10.05 |
2000 | 16,947,953 | 175,842,025 | 10.38 |
2001 | 17,013,529 | 181,683,394 | 10.68 |
2002 | 16,906,742 | 182,639,378 | 10.80 |
2003 | 17,877,997 | 192,212,359 | 10.75 |
2004 | 18,345,020 | 203,783,754 | 11.11 |
2005 | 18,545,645 | 206,530,936 | 11.14 |
2006 | 18,880,517 | 223,634,459 | 11.84 |
2007 | 19,046,786 | 226,937,094 | 11.91 |
2008 | 19,111,403 | 230,048,817 | 12.04 |
2009 | 19,305,327 | 233,775,909 | 12.11 |
2010 | 21,567,863 | 251,496,641 | 11.66 |
2011 | 22,619,846 | 265,227,404 | 11.73 |
2012 | 25,392,764 | 274,703,000 | 10.82 |
2013 | 25,907,815 | 278,438,978 | 10.75 |
2014 | 26,115,248 | 284,884,086 | 10.91 |
2015 | 27,422,384 | 287,529,448 | 10.49 |
2016 | 26,291,557 | 288,033,083 | 10.96 |
2017 | 26,643,870 | 286,717,815 | 10.76 |
2018 | 27,027,300 | 301,076,715 | 11.14 |
2019 | 29,487,503 | 296,320,563 | 10.05 |
2020 | 27,508,350 | 303,750,832 | 11.04 |
2021 | 29,652,105 | 314,806,748 | 10.62 |
Source: FAOSTAT, 2021 |
Statistically, based on the world’s production in 2020, the Total world’s production of cassava in 2020 reached 302 million tons with a harvested area of around twenty-eight million hectares (ha). Specifically, in continent area, the production of cassava is spread over several continents. The main area is Africa with production reaching 193 million tons, followed by Asia with production of around eighty-one million tons, and the Americas with twenty-six million tons.


Based on continental regions in 2021, the main areas are concentrated in Africa and Asia. Africa is the biggest
region with production achieved 203 million tonnes. Meanwhile, Asia produced 84 million tonnes. Americas region in the third area with production around 26 million tonnes.
Continent | Production of Cassava Tubers in 2021 |
---|---|
(Tonnes) | |
Africa | 203,572,940 |
Americas | 26,714,972 |
Asia | 84,252,473 |
Oceania | 266,362 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 |
Based on country, there are 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Cassava in 2021. Here are the ranks of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Cassava.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Cassava Producers in 2021
Ranks | Countries | Production of Cassava Tubers in 2021 |
---|---|---|
(Tons) | ||
1 | Nigeria | 63,031,377 |
2 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 45,673,454 |
3 | Thailand | 30,108,352 |
4 | Ghana | 22,681,510 |
5 | Brazil | 18,098,115 |
6 | Indonesia | 17,749,000 |
7 | Viet Nam | 10,565,589 |
8 | Angola | 9,866,553 |
9 | Cambodia | 7,722,226 |
10 | Côte d’Ivoire | 6,961,620 |
Source:FAOSTAT, 2023 |
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Cassava Producers in 2020
1. Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the World’s Biggest Cassava Producers. In 2021, the production of Nigeria’s cassava reached 63 million tons. Based on the state in Nigeria, there are some states as the main cultivation area. These states are Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Cross River, and the other state. Statistically, the planted area of Benue reached 261 thousand hectares, followed by Kogi with 184 thousand hectares, Enugu with 186 thousand hectares, Imo with 156 thousand hectares, and Cross River with 177 thousand hectares.
2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Congo is the second-biggest producer of cassava. In 2021, the production of Congo achieved 45 million tons. Statistically, Congo still greatly depends on Cassava as their main nutrition because Cassava is still the main dish for the people of Congo and everyone in Congo eats cassava. According to the production of Cassava, the southern region is still the main area of cultivation with accounted for 2.4 million tons of production and a cultivation area of around 358 thousand hectares.
3. Thailand
Thailand is the third-biggest producer of cassava. The production of Muang Thai country reached 30 million tons in 2021. In this country, there are several provinces as the main growing area of cassava. These are Kamphaeng Phet province with the harvested area of around seventy-nine thousand hectares, Nakho Swan with harvested area around forty-two thousand tons, Uthai Thani with thirty-three thousand hectares, and Petchabun with ten thousand hectares.
4. Ghana
Ghana is the next biggest country in cassava production. The production of cassava from this country reached twenty-two million tons. Geographically, there is some area that became the main production of cassava. These are the forest-Savannah transition, and the forest agro-ecological zones including Eastern, Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Central, and Volta regions are the major cassava producing areas that account for more than 80% of the total cassava production in Ghana.
5. Brazil
Brazil is the 5th-biggest producer of Cassava on the American Continent. Statistically, the production of samba country reached 18 million tons. Geographically, there are the main areas of Cassava in Brazil. Northeast Regions, South Regions, and North Region still become the main area of cassava cultivation. The Northeast region contributes around 40% of national production, followed by South region around 20% and North region with 18% of national contribution.
6. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 6th-biggest producer of Cassava in 2021. The Production of archipelago countries reached 17.7 million tons. Geographically, In Indonesia, the cassava production area is spread across thirteen provinces. The top five cassava-producing provinces are Lampung, Central Java, East Java, West Java, and DI Yogyakarta. Furthermore, Data from the Directorate General of Food Crops shows that the cassava planting area in 2019 was 628,305 ha and production was 16.35 million tons.
7. Vietnam
Vietnam is the seventh-biggest producer of Cassava. Statistically, the production of cassava from this country reached 10.5 million tons in 2020. In this country, there are some regions of Cassava in Vietnam. Central Coast, Central Highlands, South-eastern, and North Mountainous are some areas of cassava cultivation in Vietnam. The Central Coast area of cassava is around 170 thousand hectares, followed by the central Highlands with 150 thousand hectares, South-eastern with 115 thousand hectares, and North Mountainous with 110 thousand hectares.
8. Angola
Angola is the eighth-biggest producer of cassava in 2021, the production of Angola reached 9.8 million tons. Statistically, in this country, there are 839 thousand hectares of cassava cultivation area.
9. Cambodia
Cambodia is the next biggest producer of cassava. The production of cassava from Cambodia reached 7.7 million tons in 2021. In this Country, Cassava has grown with the addition of a growing area, in 2003, Cassava cultivating areas is just 26,000 ha 2003 to 400,000 ha in 20117 and then to 656,868 ha in 2021. It grows rapidly basically from time to time
10.Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is the 10th biggest producer of Cassava. Statistically, the world’s production of cassava in this country reached 6,961,620 tonnes. Functionally, in this country, the tuber of cassava can be processed into different products ,namely attiéké, placali, foutou, atoukpou, cassava flour, cake, and bread. Geograhically, The main production areas of cassava in Côte d’Ivoire can be found in Abidjan, Gbêkê, Marahoué, and Comoé.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Cassava Producers in 2021
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