20 World’s Most Harvested Crops– Based on the data of The FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2021, there are 20 World’s Most Harvested Crops in the World. Crops are cultivated plants to get beneficial economic from the harvested plants. As a human, these crops can be important to support our life. It can provide food, animal feed, and other needs. Precisely, our quality of life is dependent on these crops. So, because high demand for harvesting output of these crops, some planters or farmers planted and cultivated these plants in extensive areas. Statistically, most of the country planted these plants from time to time, and were more intense.
Along with the inevitable facts about the growth of the human population from time to time, the production of crops must be boosted to meet humans’ needs. Here are the twenty world’s most harvested crops in 2021. Because of this crop, our life can exist and sustain for extended periods. We can see, know, or taste these crops. We consume these crops or their derivatives to help our growth and life. Here is the rank of 20 World’s Most Harvested Crops. These data are obtained from The FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2023.
The Rank of 20 World’s Most Harvested Crops
| Rank | Kind of Crops | Harvested areas in 2021 | Production (Ouput) in 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (hectares) | (tons) | ||
| 1 | Wheat | 220,759,739 | 770,877,073 |
| 2 | Maize | 205,870,016 | 1,210,235,135 |
| 3 | Rice, paddy | 165,250,620 | 787,293,867 |
| 4 | Soybeans | 129,523,964 | 371,693,593 |
| 5 | Barley | 48,941,020 | 145,623,914 |
| 6 | Sorghum | 40,925,310 | 61,364,997 |
| 7 | Rapeseed | 36,773,580 | 71,333,434 |
| 8 | Seed cotton | 32,876,370 | 73,736,194 |
| 9 | Groundnuts, with shell | 32,720,960 | 53,926,894 |
| 10 | Millet | 30,934,728 | 30,089,625 |
| 11 | Cassava | 29,652,105 | 314,806,748 |
| 12 | Sunflower seed | 29,531,998 | 58,185,633 |
| 13 | Oil palm fruit | 28,909,789 | 416,396,560 |
| 14 | Sugar cane | 26,349,551 | 1,859,390,044 |
| 15 | Potatoes | 18,132,694 | 376,119,974 |
| 16 | Chick peas | 15,004,885 | 15,871,845 |
| 17 | Cow peas, dry | 14,911,307 | 8,986,191 |
| 18 | Sesame seed | 12,507,504 | 6,354,477 |
| 19 | Rubber, natural | 12,929,189 | 14,021,988 |
| 20 | Cocoa, beans | 11,535,884 | 5,580,432 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |||
Brief Description of 20 World’s Most Harvested Crops
1. Wheat (Triticum L.)
Wheat become World’s Most Harvested Crops in 2021. Statistically, the harvested area of Wheat in 2021 reached 220 million hectares (ha) with a total production of wheat all over the world in 2021 reaching 770 million tons. Commonly, in the several places, the wheat can be divided into some type. These types are Hard red winter wheat, soft red winter wheat, hard red spring wheat, Hard white wheat, soft white wheat, and Durum wheat.Functionally, wheat can be used in the main ingredient of some popular culinary products. Noodles, tortillas, Pizza, bread, cakes are some of the food that base flour mainly come from wheat.
In 2021, statistically, there are some countries with the biggest production of wheat. The 10 World’s Biggest wheat producers in 2021 are China, India, Russia, the United States of America, France, Canada, Ukraine, Pakistan, Germany, Australia, and Argentina.
2. Maize (Zea maize)
Maize become the second world’s most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the harvested area of Maize all over the world in 2021 reached 205 million hectares with total production reaching 1.2 billion tons. Maize is an important source of carbohydrates to humans, or animals. Some maize can be consumed fresh or can be processed into several products like popcorn. Nowadays, in some areas, Maize can be processed as an alternative source of biofuels, and the demand of maize as animal feed especially for cattle is getting higher.
Based on the country’s statistics, there are some countries with the biggest production of Maize. These countries are the United States of America, China, Brazil, Argentina, Ukraine, India, Mexico, Indonesia, France, South Africa, and Russia.
3. Rice, paddy (Oryza sativa)
Rice still becomes the third biggest commodity in the world based of Harvested area. In 2021, based on FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the harvested area of Rice all over the world reach 165 million hectares with the production of rice reaching 787 million tons.
In the Asia region, Rice is still the biggest staple food for fulfilling human nutrition. Many of Asia countries still depend on Oryza sativa. Based on the statistical data on a country database, there are some countries which have huge production of Rice. These countries are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brazil, and Philippines.
4. Soybeans (Glycine max)
Soybean is the fourth most important agricultural commodity. Statistically, the harvested area of Soybean in 2021 all over the world reach 129 million hectares with production reaching 371 million tons. Soybean is one of the most popular plant species from the Leguminosae family. It contains a large amount of protein, and many people fall in love with soybean. Soybean can be processed into soybean oil, tofu, tempeh, sauce, soy sauce, and other products.
Based on FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2021, there are some country’s producers that have huge soybean production. These countries are Brazil, the United States of America, Argentina, China, India, Paraguay, Canada, Russia Federation, Ukraine, Bolivia.
5. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L)
Barley is the next most harvested crop in the world with a harvested area of 48 million hectares and total production reached 145 million tons in 2021. Commonly, this plant has close relation with Wheat, paddy, and some of the other crops from the Poaceae family. Functionally, barley can be used as a natural sweetener, ingredient for brewing beer, and making some alcoholic beverages.
Statistically, according to the FAO Statistical Corporate database in 2021, there are some biggest producers of Barley in 2021, these countries are Russia, France, Germany, Canada, Ukraine, Australia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Spain, Turkey, and Argentina.
6. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Sorghum is the sixth most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the total harvested area reaches 40 million hectares, and the production reaches 61 million tons. Functionally, this plant is used for cattle feed, poultry feed, and potable alcohol. Based on geography, there are some country regions that have the biggest production of sorghum. Accumulatively, these countries are the United States of America, Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, Mexico, Sudan, Argentina, China, Brazil, and Australia
7. Cotton (Gossypium L)
Cotton is still a highly demanded crop in the world of 2021. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2021, the harvested area of cotton reached 32 million hectares with production reaching 73 million tons.
Cotton is the main raw material for the fashion and clothes industries around the world. When there is a growing of clothes, apparel, and fashion industries, the demand for cottonseed is getting higher. Statistically, there are some biggest producers of seed cotton in 2021. These are China, India, the United States of America, Brazil, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Australia, Turkmenistan, and Argentina
8. Rapeseed (Brassica napus)
Rapeseed is the seventh-most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the harvested area of rapeseed reaches 36 million hectares with total production reaching 71.8 million tons. Functionally, the harvested rapeseed can be processed into some product. These products are edible oil, biodiesel, lubricant, and feed. Based on the country region, there are some biggest producers of rapeseed in 2021. China, Canada, India, Australia, Germany, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Romania are the ten world’s biggest producers of rapeseed.
9. Millet (Panicum L)
Millet is the next most harvested crop in the world. In 2021, the harvested area of millet reaches 30.7 million hectares with production around the world reaching 30 million tons. Functionally, millet can be used to make bread, beer, cereal, and other dishes.
Statistically, there are some biggest producers of millet in 2021. These countries are India, China, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Mali, Senegal, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Chad. They have huge production of millet in 2021 to fulfill human consumption.
10. Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L)
Groundnut become the 9th most harvested crop in 2021. The total of harvested crops in that year reaches 32 million hectares with the production of groundnut all over the world reaching 53 million tons. Groundnut can be consumed fresh, boiled groundnuts, roasted groundnut, and these crops can be used as cattle fodder.
Statistically, in 2021, there are some countries with the biggest producers of groundnuts. These countries are China, India, Nigeria, the United States of America, Sudan, Senegal, Myanmar, Argentina, Chad, and Guinea.
11. Oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)
Oil Palm is the 13th most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the total harvested area reached 28.4 million hectares with total production of 416 million tons. These harvested fruits can become some derivatives products, namely oil, biodiesel. Raw material for soap, butter, and some other products. Statistically, there are some countries that have the biggest production of oil palm fruit in 2021. These countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria, Colombia, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Cameroon, and Ghana
12. Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
Cassava is the next 11th most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the production of cassava in 2019 reach 314 million tons with a harvested area reaching 29 million hectares. Basically, is the source of carbohydrates for humans. In arid regions with limited water for agriculture, planting cassava is one of the solutions to provide food. Because of the water-resistant, this plant is usually cultivated in shortage water regions.
13. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L)
Sunflower is the next most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the harvested area of sunflower reaches 29 million hectares and the production of sunflower seed reach fifty-eight million tons. Sunflowers is raw materials of some products, especially for oil. Based on the country regions, there are some biggest producers of Sunflower seed. These countries are Russian, Ukraine, Argentina, Romania, China, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, France, and Tanzania.
14. Sugarcane (Saccharum L)
Sugarcane is the next 14th most harvested crop in 2021. Statistically, the harvested area of Sugarcane reaches 26.9 million hectares with production reaching 1.8 billion tons. Functionally, this plant is raw materials to make various sugar products. It can sweeten some food and beverages. In the tropical region, thus crops are the primary crops to make sugar. Based on the country region, there are some countries with having the biggest production of sugarcane. These countries are Brazil, India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States of America.
15. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
Potatoes are the next 15th most harvested crop. Statistically, the harvested area of potatoes reaches 18 million hectares with a production of all around the world reaching 376 million tons. Basically, some people in the world know potatoes. Some products, namely French potato, mashed potato, potato salad are the derivatives products of pototoes. Statistically, there are some countries with became the biggest producers of potatoes. These countries are China, India, Russia, Ukraine, United States of America, Germany, Bangladesh, France, Netherlands, Poland,
16. Cow peas (Vigna unguiculata)
Cowpeas is the next most harvested drop in 2021. Statistically, the production of these crops reached 8.9 million tons with the harvested area around the world being about 14.2 million hectares based on FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT). Statistically, there are some countries that have the biggest production of cowpeas. These countries are Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Sudan, and Tanzania.
17. Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)
Chickpeas is the 16th most harvested crop based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2021. In that year, the harvested area of chickpeas reaches 15 million hectares and production reach 15 million tons. Statistically, there are some countries with the biggest production of chickpeas. These countries are India, Turkey, Russia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the United States of America, Australia, and Mexico.
18. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L)
Sesame is the 18th most harvested crop in 2021. Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2021. The harvested area of sesame all over the world reach 12.9 million hectares with the production reaching 6.5 million tons. Statistically, there are some biggest producers of sesame seeds in the world. These countries are Sudan, Myanmar, India, Tanzania, Nigeria, China, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
19. Rubber, natural (Hevea brasiliensis)
Rubber plants are the 19th most harvested crop in 2021. Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database. The harvested area of this species reaches 12.5 million hectares with the production of rubber reaching 14.9 million tons. Some natural rubber becomes raw material industries to add the elasticity of their products. Tires, balloons, plastics are some of the products that need rubber as the main raw materials. Statistically, in 2021, there are some biggest producers of natural rubber. These countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia
20. Cocoa, beans (Theobroma cacao)
Cocoa plants or (Theobroma cacao) are the main raw material of chocolate in the world. Many people know the chocolate. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2021, the harvested area of Chocolate reaches 11 million hectares with production reaching 5.5 million tons. Statistically based on the FAO Database, there are some biggest producers of cocoa beans in 2019. These countries are Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ecuador, Cameroon, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic
Bibliography of 20 World’s Most Harvested Crops
FAOSTAT. 2021. Most produced commodities, World + (Total) 2019. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on May 8th, 2023
