10 World’s Biggest Grape-Producing Countries in 2021– There are 10 Countries with the biggest grape production in the world. This data comes from FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), United Nations in 2021. FAO, as we know, has the responsibility to develop agriculture and raise human access to nutritious food all over the world.
Grapes in the world are one of the favorite fruits and have become one of the biggest fruits in production. In 2021, the Total Production of Grapes all over the world was around 73 million tons with a harvested area of 6.7 million hectares. With the highest production, these countries maybe love grapes and their processed products. In trading aspects, the producers (wine and grape) can even export it to the other country so it can add their countries’ income. Historically, this plant is one of the longest cultivated plants by humans. This plant has been cultivated by humans 6,000–8,000 years ago. From time to time, along with the development of technology and science, the fruit can be consumed directly and some of the fruit can be processed into a variety of derivative products like wine.
The World’s Production, Harvested Areas, and Yield/ Productivity of Grapes From 1980 to 2021
| Year | World’s Harvested Areas of Grapes | World’s Production of Grapes | Yield / Productivity of Grapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Hectare(Ha)) | (Tons) | Tons / hectare | |
| 1980 | 9,217,058 | 66,493,546 | 7.21 |
| 1981 | 9,225,893 | 61,664,645 | 6.68 |
| 1982 | 9,099,047 | 72,563,307 | 7.97 |
| 1983 | 8,864,528 | 67,262,396 | 7.59 |
| 1984 | 8,738,754 | 64,511,730 | 7.38 |
| 1985 | 8,623,126 | 58,666,750 | 6.80 |
| 1986 | 8,475,117 | 64,051,777 | 7.56 |
| 1987 | 8,368,200 | 63,968,678 | 7.64 |
| 1988 | 8,249,828 | 58,126,645 | 7.05 |
| 1989 | 8,185,142 | 58,819,703 | 7.19 |
| 1990 | 7,971,499 | 59,746,687 | 7.50 |
| 1991 | 7,828,974 | 56,073,902 | 7.16 |
| 1992 | 7,747,202 | 60,273,349 | 7.78 |
| 1993 | 7,506,598 | 55,291,006 | 7.37 |
| 1994 | 7,425,871 | 54,083,445 | 7.28 |
| 1995 | 7,322,841 | 55,381,604 | 7.56 |
| 1996 | 7,243,349 | 58,634,764 | 8.09 |
| 1997 | 7,182,640 | 57,961,134 | 8.07 |
| 1998 | 7,115,073 | 56,432,963 | 7.93 |
| 1999 | 7,161,974 | 60,476,117 | 8.44 |
| 2000 | 7,254,102 | 63,552,363 | 8.76 |
| 2001 | 7,284,843 | 60,861,632 | 8.35 |
| 2002 | 7,340,597 | 61,164,448 | 8.33 |
| 2003 | 7,388,996 | 63,051,141 | 8.53 |
| 2004 | 7,285,772 | 67,207,621 | 9.22 |
| 2005 | 7,283,259 | 66,975,615 | 9.20 |
| 2006 | 7,311,740 | 66,982,403 | 9.16 |
| 2007 | 7,209,817 | 66,182,174 | 9.18 |
| 2008 | 7,116,163 | 66,586,193 | 9.36 |
| 2009 | 7,079,487 | 67,629,639 | 9.55 |
| 2010 | 6,971,119 | 66,655,064 | 9.56 |
| 2011 | 6,919,264 | 69,120,686 | 9.99 |
| 2012 | 6,916,865 | 68,906,435 | 9.96 |
| 2013 | 7,023,864 | 76,440,640 | 10.88 |
| 2014 | 7,022,745 | 73,832,536 | 10.51 |
| 2015 | 7,107,289 | 76,521,633 | 10.77 |
| 2016 | 6,900,043 | 74,436,986 | 10.79 |
| 2017 | 6,836,781 | 73,549,311 | 10.76 |
| 2018 | 6,872,676 | 80,015,897 | 11.64 |
| 2019 | 6,912,409 | 77,087,415 | 11.15 |
| 2020 | 6,924,070 | 76,997,321 | 11.12 |
| 2021 | 6,729,198 | 73,524,196 | 10.93 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |||
Statistically, the world’s production of grapes is relatively mixed trend over times. In 1980, the world’s production of grapes around 66 million tons with harvested areas around 9 million hectares. Meanwhile in 2021, the world’s production of grapes reached 73 million tons with harvested areas around 6.7 million hectares. From 1980 to 2020, the World’s harvested areas of grapes declined from 9.2 million hectares in 1980 and became 7.3 million hectares in 2020. Based on the productivity, the yield of grapes has increased from 7.21 tons/ hectare in 190 and turned into 10.93 in 2021.
Production of Grapes Based on Continent in 2021
| Continent | Production of Grapes in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 4,727,193 |
| Americas | 13,649,041 |
| Asia | 25,966,083 |
| Europe | 26,926,343 |
| Oceania | 2,255,537 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the continental statics of FAOSTAT database, the production of Grapes can be tracked down into several regions. Europe and Asia still become the major regions of grapes productions in 2021. Statistically, the production of Grapes from Europe and Asia reached 26.9 million and 25.9 million tons, respectively. In Addition, Americas also produce around 13.6 million tons of Grapes in 2021. Meanwhile, Africa can produce 4.7 million tons and Oceania can produce 2.2 million tons.
Taxonomically, the grape (Vitis vinifera) belongs to the order of Vitales and the family of Vitaceae. Biologically, this plant is a fruit plant in the form of a shrub that propagates with many branches. Agronomically, grapes are one of the plants that can live optimally in lowland areas and require a long dry season ranging from 4-7 months with a high intensity of sunlight.
In many developing countries, the cultivation of grapes is starting to increase because of the bright and potential market in the future. From all over countries in the world, there are the biggest countries with grape production. This Data comes from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Grape-Producing Countries in 2021
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Grapes in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 11,200,000 |
| 2 | Italy | 8,149,400 |
| 3 | Spain | 6,086,920 |
| 4 | United States of America | 5,488,470 |
| 5 | France | 5,073,580 |
| 6 | Türkiye | 3,670,000 |
| 7 | India | 3,358,000 |
| 8 | Chile | 2,581,108 |
| 9 | Argentina | 2,241,420 |
| 10 | South Africa | 2,000,297 |
| Source :FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Grape-Producing Countries in 2021
1.China
China is the world’s biggest grape-producing country with production reaching 11.2 million tons in 2021. The people of this panda country have a long history with this plant. Along with the Chinese economic revolution pioneered by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s, which was followed by economic growth and the welfare of the people of this land of pandas getting advance, grape production has also increased. In 2000, China’s vineyard area reached 178,000 hectares.
Geographically, the grape growing area in China spreads over several provinces. Some of these provinces include Xingjian, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Henan. The area of grape cultivation in Xinjiang is 32,000 hectares, Hebei is 31,500 hectares, Shandong is 20,900 hectares, Liaoning is 14.2 thousand hectares, and Henan is 11.3 thousand hectares. While in terms of plant genetics, there are several types of grapes that are widely popular in China. the plants consist of 2 types, namely table grapes (consumed directly) and Wine grapes (processed into Wine):
- Table Grapes: Zaomeigui, Zhengzhou Zaohong, Fenghuang No 51, Jing Zaojing, Shangdong Zaohong, Jingxiu, Jingya, Zizhenxiang, Shengxiu, Jingyu, Fenghou.
- Wine grapes: Beichun, Gongliang No. 1, Shuangyou, Zuoshan No. 1.
Periodically, the harvesting time of grapes in China occurs in August-October which are then sold for direct consumption (table grape) or processed into various wine products in China (wine grape).
2.Italy
Italy is the world’s second-biggest grape-producing country with production reaching 8.1 tons in 2021. Apart from being famous for its spaghetti and pizza, this country is also famous for the various types of grapes it produces. Many grapes in Italy as a source of Italian wine
In this country, there are several types/varieties of grapes. The grape varieties include Sangiovese, which is cultivated on 54,000 hectares, Montepulciano on 27,000 hectares, Glera on 27,000 hectares, Pinot Gris on 25,000 hectares, Merlot on 24,000, and Italian for 22,000. The types above are types of wine that are popular in Italy.
Several regions in Italy have become the center of grape cultivation. According to Statista data for 2020, the Regions of Apulia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Sicily, Abruzzo are some of the regions with the highest grape production in Italy. Grape production in Apulia reached 1.28 million tons, Veneto at 1.25 million tons, Emilia-Romagna at 952 thousand tons, Sicily at 661 thousand tons, and Abruzzo at 448 thousand tons.
3.Spain
Spain is the third grape biggest country producer in the world with production reaching 6 million tons. The country is famous for its wine production. The main area of wine production is in the autonomous region of Castilla La Mancha. In terms of type/cultivar, Tempranillo grapes are the most popular grapes in Matador Country with a planted area of more than 100 thousand hectares. In addition, there are other types of grapes that are widely grown such as Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Godello, and Treixadura.
3.United States of America
As a country with the highest wine consumption in the world, it is not surprising that the United States is one of the world’s largest wine-producing countries. The United States is the fourth biggest grape producer in the world. Total production in 2021 based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) reached 5.4 million tons. Grape Cultivation areas spreads over several parts of the United States such as California, New York, Washington, Oregon, and Virginia. However, of all states, California is the main grape-growing area in America, contributing to 85 percent of United States grape production.
According to the side of the cultivar/type of grape, there are several types of grapes that are popular such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel. Chardonnay grapes are the most widely cultivated with an area of 43,000 ha, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at 41,000 ha, Pinot Noir at 25,000 ha, Merlot at 21,000 ha, and Zinfandel at 19,000 ha.
5.France
France is the fifth biggest country in the world with its production reaching 5 million tons. In terms of cultivation area, there are several central wine-growing areas in the country spread over the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, The Rhone Valley, The Loire Valley, Champagne, and Provence in France. Meanwhile, in terms of genetics, there are several types of popular grapes in this country. Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah are some of the popular wines in the country.
6. Türkiye
Türkiye is the 6th largest producer of Grapes in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Grapes from Türkiye reached 3.6 million tons. Geographically, the main regions of grapes cultivation areas in Turkiye distributed in several provinces. These provinces include Manisa, Mardin, Denizli, Nevsehir, Mersin, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Kilis, Kahramanmaras, and Elazig. Specifically, Manisa with Vineyard area around 85.8 hectares (ha) or 22 % of overall areas of grape Vineyard areas in Turkiye. Furthermore, Mardin also has vineyard area around 36.3 hectares or 9.3 of grapes vineyard areas in Turkiye. Menahwile, Denizli has 34.161 hectares, Nevşehir 18.944 hectares, Mersin 17.834 hectares, Diyarbakır 17.168 hectares, Gaziantep 16.363 hectares, Kilis 12.798 hectares, Kahramanmaraş 12.513 hectares, and Elazığ 10.8 hectares (Akdemir and Candar, 2022).
7. India
India is the 7th biggest producer of Grapes in 2021. Statistically, the production of Grapes from India reached 3.3 million tons. Geographically, in India, there are some states that has huge production of Grapes. These provinces include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Mizoram. Genetically, in India, there are some popular cultivars. These cultivars include Thompson Seedless, Bangalore Blue, Anab-e-Shahi, Dilkhush, and Sharad.
8. Chile
Chile also became one of the biggest producers of Grapes in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Grapes from Chile reached 2.5 million tons. Geograhically, in Chile, some of main cultivation areas of Grapes can be located in the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaiso. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Grapes that can be found in this country. Some of the cultivars of grapes in Chile are Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.
9. Argentina
Argentina is the 9th largest producer of Grapes in 2021. Statistically, the production of Grapes from Argentina reached 2.2 million tons. Geographically, in Argentina, some of vineyard can be found in Mendoza (contributing more than 60% of the Argentinian wine), followed by the provinces of San Juan and La Rioja, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Pampa and Rio Negro. Genetically, some of the cultivars of Grapes in Argentina are Malbec, Bonarda, Pedro Giménez, Torrontés and others.
10. South Africa
South Africa is the 10th largest producer of Grape in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Grapes from Nelson Mandela’s country reached 2 million tons. Geograhically, in South Africa, the main areas of grape’s cultivation can be found in Western Cape (Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo and Olifants River). Genetically, in South Africa, some of the cultivars that can be found in this country are Sauvignon Blanc, hardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.
Bibliography of 10 Biggest Grape-Producing Countries in the World in 2021
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