In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 25 Most Produced Foods in the World, with insights into the value and volume of food exports, the number of food export products, and the food export growth rate. For a quick overview of the 10 most produced foods, read our article 10 Most Produced Foods in the World.
As the world’s population continues to grow, the demand for food will naturally increase. This means prioritizing food production and ensuring everyone has access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food is more important than ever. The production volume of food in the world is staggering. In 2020, global food production was around 9.8 billion tons. Sysco Corp (NYSE:SYY) states that global food production is expected to double by 2050 compared to its levels in 2020.
According to the United Nations, the global per capita food production is around 95.1 billion metric tons yearly. This food production varies significantly from country to country. Only a few meals are made per person in some countries, such as China and India. There are several reasons behind this, including population density, land scarcity, and insufficient interest in agriculture. On the other hand, per capita food production is much higher in other countries, such as the United States and Canada. It is attributable to several factors, including the abundance of land, the favorable climate, and the high level of agricultural investment.
However, not all food is produced equal. Some foods, such as sugarcane, are produced in much larger quantities than others. For example, in 2022, the production of sugarcane increased by 22% from 66.380 million tons to 81.009 million tons, making it one of the foods most built in the world. Other most produced crops include maize (corn), rice, wheat, soybeans, and potatoes.
In the first half of 2022, global trade grew at double-digit rates; these big jumps were the result of increasing food and energy prices. In 2022, food production was estimated to be over $5 trillion, making it one of the largest industries in the world.
The value of food production is determined by several factors, including the quantity of food produced, the price of food, and the cost of inputs such as fertilizer and labor.
The worth of food production keeps increasing, but it needs to keep up with the food cost, which is expanding. This makes people worry about how low-income households can buy food. In its 2022 annual report, Sysco Corp (NYSE:SYY) highlights the growing concern that food production is increasingly becoming concentrated in a handful of countries. Sysco Corp (NYSE:SYY) highlights that China, India, Brazil, Russia, and the United States produce about one-third of the world’s food.
Moreover, the value of food production has generally affected the economic situation. Agriculture is an essential factor in GDP growth across many countries. It is vital to find a long-term way of increasing the value of food production. For this to happen, technological and agricultural practices will have to improve.
In a Q&A discussion, the Group president of North American Retail of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS), one of the biggest USA-based branded food products processors, pointed out that they have raised prices 5 times, within the year 2021. One of the reasons for the historical rise in prices over a year is the increase in wheat prices. Wheat prices have been rising in recent years due to factors such as drought and crop failures. This has led to concerns about food security in some countries.
The cost of fertilizer has also been rising due to the increasing demand for energy and other inputs. This is giving a hard time to farmers to make money. Precision agriculture is one type of new technology that is helping to improve the efficiency of food output. This means that rates go up and costs go down.
How Does the Environment Affect Food Production?
Overall, food production value in the world is a complex issue with various factors affecting it. It is essential to stay current on the latest trends to make informed food security and sustainability decisions. The way we produce and consume food has a significant impact on the environment and vice versa. General Mills Inc (NYSE:GIS) addresses the issue that the global food system accounts for about 26% of greenhouse gas emissions. General Mills Inc (NYSE:GIS) sets the bar high by aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050.
Water is the most essential element in food production. Due to climate change, pollution, and population growth, water is becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world. Deforestation is another significant concern for the global environment. UN Environment Program offers insights that about 12 million hectares of forest are cleared yearly to make way for agricultural land. The world has lost one-third of its forests.
Excessive food production is also a danger to the environment in terms of soil erosion and nutrition depletion. This is leading to the loss of biodiversity.
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Methodology
In this article, we have listed the 25 most produced foods in the world. To comprehensively assess their performance, we used four key metrics: Production Volume, Production Value, and Per Capita Production.
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the selected metrics, we draw upon reputable indexes and reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization, AG WEB Farm Journal, and Our World in Data.
We started by scoring food on each metric from 1 to 25 (1 representing the most produced and 25 least produced in our list of 25). To provide a balanced evaluation, each metric was assigned a specific weight, reflecting its relative importance:
- Production Volume: 40%
- Production Value: 20%
- Per Capita Production: 20%
By considering these specific weights of each metric, weighted averages were calculated that reflect the relative significance of each criterion. We then ranked the most produced foods worldwide in descending order from 25 to 1 (based on the weighted average results), with 1 representing the highest rank and 25 representing the lowest on our list.
Here is our list of the 25 most produced foods in the world, shedding light on their economic contributions and growth trajectories in the global food trade arena.
Most Produced Foods in the World
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Oats
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 3 kg
Used in many kinds, like oatmeal, bran, and oat flour, the global production of oats stands at 23,104,147 tons yearly. They’re also fed to animals and turned into fuel. The global oats market size was 27.73 million tons in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2023 to 2028, reaching 34.69 million tons by 2028.
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Watermelons
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 6.7 kg
China, India, and Turkey are the largest producers of this fruit. In 2019, watermelon producers grossed an average of $4,400 per acre, based on the average yield per acre and average price of fresh market watermelons. Watermelons are a good source of water, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C for the human body.
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Oranges
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 27.5 kg
Brazil is the leading producer of oranges, followed by China, India, the European Union, and Mexico. Oranges are cultivated in more than 140 countries globally. These citrus fruits are rich in vitamins C and A, potassium, and fiber, making them nutritious. Additionally, they’re packed with antioxidants that play a vital role in shielding the body from harm caused by free radicals.
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Sweet Potatoes
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 98.7 kg
Sweet potatoes grow on altitudes from sea level to an impressive 2,500 meters. The orange-fleshed sweet potato, in particular, stands out as a significant supplier of beta-carotene, which paves the way for vitamin A production. The average U.S. yield of sweet potatoes per acre was 195.6 hundredweight (cwt) in 2020, with an estimated gross value of $4,550 per acre.
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Buffalo Milk
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 17.4 kg
In Asia, there are around 175 million buffaloes. The significant contributor to Buffalo milk production is India, followed by Pakistan and China. Buffalo milk is considered a richer source of fat than any other animal milk.
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Cucumbers
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 101.6 kg
China produced around 150 million tons of cucumbers in 2020. The bright green skin and long cylindrical shape of cucumbers are well-known and are usually used as decorations in recipes. Cucumber is also available in other forms, such as white cucumber, lemon cucumber, and more. This is a low-calorie fruit, full of water, fibers, and nutrients.
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Pork
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 12.1 kg
It is the most widely eaten meat in the world. Pork is full of vitamins. It is also rich in thiamine, which helps the body function properly. Pork production in the first half of 2023 increased by 2% year-over-year, driven by 3.2% higher slaughter numbers.
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Sugar Beet
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 10.8 kg
The leading producer of sugar beet is the European Union, with a 50% contribution to global food production. This root vegetable is enriched with sugar, potassium, and dietary fibers. It is an easy-to-grow and versatile crop that can be grown in different climates.
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Barley
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 11.7 kg
Barley, a cereal grain, is grown for its seeds. The global production of Barley is around 149.5 million tons. 2023 observed a significant increase in the worldwide production of cereals, recorded at about 5.9 million tons. The main Barley producers are China, Japan, Russia UAS, and France.
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Onions
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 128.4 kg
Onions were found in the graves of Egyptian pharaohs. They have been honored for centuries and are more than a practical addition to any kitchen. China, India, and the United States are the world’s three most prominent suppliers of onions. The global dry onion market is valued at US$4.26 billion in first-half of 2023 and is projected to reach $7.01 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2033.
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Chicken
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 16.5 kg
When it comes to animal protein, chicken is by far the most common source. It is a protein-packed superfood. Production in the US was over 42 million metric tons in 2020, 41 million metric tons in China, and 13 million metric tons in Brazil. The poultry farming sector is crucial since it employs over a billion people worldwide. People around the world eat chicken.
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Soybeans
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 16.3 kg
In 2020, 313 million metric tons of soybeans were produced across the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. It is a protein marvel that soybeans exist. Soybeans make a broad range of goods, from tofu and milk to oil and biofuel. Soybean production in the United States is expected to decline in the 2023/2024 marketing year due to lower yields.
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Potatoes
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 13.2 kg
Over 160 nations now actively cultivate potatoes. The Andean highlands were the first to plant them, but now they are grown in more than 160 nations worldwide. With an annual output of over 90 million tons, China is far and away the world leader in the production of this food.
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Apples
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 121.3 kg
The three nations that produce the most apples worldwide are China, the USA, and Poland. In 2019 China made an impressive 41 million metric tons of apples, almost half the global supply. An apple can provide as much as 5 grams of fiber.
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Bananas
Annual Per Capita Production in 2022: 155.6 kg
India is the top producer of bananas, producing around 30 million tons annually. Millions of people rely on bananas as a primary source of nourishment due to their high potassium content. VSS-certified banana producers in major exporting countries can receive up to 60%-100% higher prices for their bananas than those who are not certified.
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Disclosure. None. The 25 Most Produced Foods in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.