Top 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries
Top 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries– According to FAO Data, there are 10 World’s
Biggest Maize-Producing Countries. These countries have huge corn production to
meet domestic consumption (food, forage, or fuel) or some of it has been
exported to another country. Statistically, until 2023, the world’s production
of corn reaches 1.24 billion tons (t) with a harvested area of around 208
million hectares (ha). Its production makes this species become one of the most
cultivated plants in the world.
Historically, corn was first domesticated by native peoples in Mexico around 10,000 years ago. It is believed that modern corn has been derived from the Balsas teosinte (Zea mays parviglumis), a wild grass (Britannica, 2021). From time to time, its culture had spread as far north as southern Maine by the time of European settlement of North America, and Native Americans taught European colonists to grow the indigenous grains. Since its introduction into Europe by Christopher Columbus and other explorers and colonizers, corn has spread to all areas over the world. To Date, according to its morphological traits, namely on its seed’s color, there are some types of maize including Hopi Pink, Blue Corn, Mandan Red, Hopi White, Indian Yellow, Indian Ornamental, and others.
Taxonomically, maize plants
are included in Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Poales;
Family: Poaceae; Subfamily: Panicoideae; Genus: Zea; Species: Z. mays. Based on
nutrition content, corn has several nutrition content, namely Water 76 g;
Energy 86 kcal ; Energy 360 kJ ; Protein 3.27 g ; Total lipid (fat) 1.35 g ;
Carbohydrate 18.7 g ; Fiber, total dietary 2 g ; Sugars, total including NLEA
6.26 g ; Sucrose 0.89 g; Glucose 3.43 g ; Magnesium (Mg) 37 mg ;
Phosphorus (P) 89 mg ; Potassium (K) 270 mg ; Sodium (Na) 15 mg ; Zinc (Zn)
0.46 mg ; Copper (Cu) 0.054 mg and the other nutrition.
World’s Statistical Production of Maize (Zea mays) Based on Continent in 2023
|
Continent |
Production of Maize in 2023 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
95,004,475 |
|
Americas |
623,230,610 |
|
Asia |
403,726,178 |
|
Europe |
119,026,798 |
|
Oceania |
569,750 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2025 |
|
Based on statistics data on the continental region, this plant can
be seen all over the continent and there are some primary areas of maize
plantation. The Continent of America still has the biggest production with 623
million tons or contributing 50 % of the world’s corn production. Asia has the
2nd world’s biggest maize production with 403 million tons or
contributes 34 % of corn production. Europe is the third with 119 million tons
or contributing 9 % of the world’s corn production. Africa is the fourth with
95 million tons or contributing 8 % of the world’s corn production.
The Statistical World’s Productions and World’s Harvested Areas of Maize From 2000 to 2023
|
Years |
World's Harvested Areas |
World's Maize Production |
|
(Hectares (Ha)) |
(Tons) |
|
|
2000 |
136,926,264 |
592,019,783 |
|
2001 |
137,382,774 |
615,141,882 |
|
2002 |
137,461,737 |
603,538,097 |
|
2003 |
144,596,727 |
645,044,432 |
|
2004 |
147,530,593 |
729,503,049 |
|
2005 |
148,203,332 |
714,160,291 |
|
2006 |
148,246,783 |
707,922,648 |
|
2007 |
159,254,575 |
793,514,524 |
|
2008 |
163,678,393 |
829,772,911 |
|
2009 |
159,390,660 |
820,799,960 |
|
2010 |
165,329,613 |
852,757,847 |
|
2011 |
172,741,712 |
887,754,711 |
|
2012 |
180,367,174 |
875,548,703 |
|
2013 |
187,557,426 |
1,016,799,084 |
|
2014 |
186,492,181 |
1,040,718,156 |
|
2015 |
191,056,099 |
1,053,891,010 |
|
2016 |
194,262,790 |
1,123,728,793 |
|
2017 |
198,506,330 |
1,139,704,590 |
|
2018 |
195,423,561 |
1,124,172,165 |
|
2019 |
194,555,227 |
1,137,617,353 |
|
2020 |
199,994,407 |
1,162,997,555 |
|
2021 |
205,870,016 |
1,210,235,135 |
|
2022 |
203,364,803 |
1,162,118,007 |
|
2023 |
208,234,140 |
1,241,557,811 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 |
||
At the national level, there are some countries with the biggest
production of Zea mays. Overall, this data was obtained from the FAO
Statistical Corporate Database or commonly known as FAOSTAT in 2020. Here are
the 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries
|
Rank |
Countries |
Production of Maize in 2023 |
Production of Maize in 2022 |
|
(Tons) |
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
United
States of America |
389,694,460 |
348,750,930 |
|
2 |
China,
mainland |
288,842,300 |
277,203,000 |
|
3 |
Brazil |
131,950,246 |
109,420,717 |
|
4 |
Argentina |
41,409,448 |
59,037,179 |
|
5 |
India |
38,085,256 |
33,729,540 |
|
6 |
Ukraine |
31,030,440 |
26,186,930 |
|
7 |
Mexico |
27,549,918 |
26,625,694 |
|
8 |
Indonesia |
19,985,653 |
23,564,000 |
|
9 |
Russian
Federation |
16,600,000 |
15,862,434 |
|
10 |
South
Africa |
16,430,000 |
15,470,000 |
|
Source: FAO
Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), 2025 |
|||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries
1. United States of America
The United States of
America is the biggest country of Maize production in 2022 based on the FAO
Statistical corporate database (FAOSTAT). In that year, the production of
stripes and stars reached 389 million tons.
Geographically, in 2021, there are some states in the USA that have the biggest production of
Maize. These states are Iowa with a
production reach 2.2 billion bushels, followed by Illinois with a production of
2.1 billion bushels, Nebraska with 1.7 billion bushels, Minnesota with 1.4
billion bushels, Indiana with 981 million bushels, Kansas with 766 million
bushels, and South Dakota with 729 million bushels.
Genetically, in this
country, there are some types of maize that are planted in the USA. These types
of corn are flint corn, dent corn, flour corn, popcorn, and sweet corn. Each of
the varieties of maize is based on kernel size, color, and the content of
starch within each kernel.
2. China, mainland
China became the second biggest corn production in 2023 based on
FAO Statistical Corporate Database. Overall, the production of its corn reaches
288 million tons. Geographically, in this Country, there are some provinces that become the main are of corn production.
these provinces are Heilongjiang produces 39 million tons of corn, followed by
Jilin with the production of 30 million tons, Inner Mongolia with a production
of 27 million tons, Shandong with a production of 25 million tons, and Henan
with production reach 22
million tons.
Due to agro climatic conditions, in parts of North China, particularly on the North China
plain, farmers cultivate maize after harvesting winter wheat. In areas of the
Yellow-Huai River Valley, wheat crops are usually planted with enough space
between maize prior to the wheat harvest (relay cropping). In the Southwest
region, which includes both subtropical and tropical maize areas, climatic
conditions allow more flexible rotations, and maize can be incorporated into
rotations with a wide range of crops, including potatoes, vegetables, and
melons.
3. Brazil
Brazil still became the 3rd world’s biggest corn
producer of maize in 2023. In that year, based on the FAO Statistical database
(FAOSTAT), Brazil’s corn production reached 131 million tons. Geographically,
there are some states in Brazil that have become the main source of corn. These states are Mato Grasso with the
production of 27 million tons, Followed by Parana with 14 million tons, Goias
with the production of 9.8 million tons, Matto Grasso du Sul with 8.9 million
tons, and Minas Gerais with 7.2 million tons.
4. Argentina
Argentina is the 4th world’s largest country producer
of maize in 2023. Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2023, the
production of tango’s country reaches 41 million tons. Geographically, there
are some cultivation areas of corn. These provinces are Buenos Aires, covering
27% of the national area, followed by Cordoba with 26% of the national area, La
Pampa with 14% of the area, Santa Fe with 12% of the area, Entre Rios with 6%
of the national area, and Chaco with 4% of the national area of maize. Based
on the type of corn, there is some
popular corn in Argentina. These types are Blanco Ancho
Maize, Amarillo Angosto Maize, Criollo White Corn, Culli Maize, Chullpi Maize,
Capita Corn, Morocho Maize, and Colorado Maize.
5. India
India is the next biggest country of corn production. In 2023,
according to the FAO Statistical database, the production of Mahatma Gandhi’s
country reached 38
million tons. Geographically, there are some states in India as main corn
production. These states are
Karnataka with production reaching 4.2 million tons or contribute 13 % of
domestic corn production, followed by Madhya Pradesh with the production of
corn reach 4 million tons or contribute 12.43 % of national corn production,
Kerala with 3,985.81 or contribute 12 % of national production, Telangana with
contributing 2.9 million tons or contribute 9.16 % of national corn production,
Tamil Nadu with 2.4 tons, Andhra Pradesh with 2 million tons, West Bengal 2
million tons, Bihar with 2 million tons, Maharashtra with 1.9 million tons, and
Uttar Pradesh with 1.6 million tons.
6. Ukraine
Ukraine is the 6th world’s biggest country producer of
corn production. In 2023, its production reached 31 million tons. Geographically, In this country, there are some main are of corn production, these are Polwatta with
contributing 13% of national corn production, followed by Vinnytsia, Summy,
Chernihiv with each of them contributing 9% of national corn production, and Cherkassy, Kyiv, Kirovograd with contributing 8%, 7%, 7%, 7%,
respectively.
7. Mexico
Mexico is the next biggest country from the American Continent of
corn Production. In 2023, the production of Mexico’s corn reached 27.5 million tons. Geographically, there is some state in
Mexico as the main area of cone production. These areas are the states of Mexico, Jalisco,
Michoacán, and Puebla.
8. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 8th world’s biggest country producer
of corn. In 2023, its production reached 19.9 million tons based on FAO
Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT). Geographically, in this country,
there are some principal areas of con production. These areas are East Java Province, with a
harvested area of 1.19 million ha with production reaching 5.37 million tons of
corn followed by Central Java
Province with a harvested area of 614.3 thousand ha with production
reaching 3.18 million tons of corn. Third, Lampung Province with a harvested area of 474.9 thousand ha
with a production of 2.83 million tons of corn. Fourth, North Sumatra Province with a
harvested area of 350.6 thousand ha with production reaching 1.83 million tons.
Fifth, South Sulawesi Province with
a harvested area of 377.7 thousand with production reaching 1.82 million tons
of corn. Sixth, West Nusa Tenggara
Province with a harvested area of 283 thousand ha with production
reaching 1.66 million tons of corn. Seventh, West Java Province with a harvested area of 206.7 thousand ha
with production reaching 1.34 million tons of corn. Eighth, North Sulawesi Province with a harvested area of 235.5
thousand ha with production reaching 0.92 million tons of corn.
9. Russian Federation
Russia is the 9th world’s biggest country of corn
production. Karl Marx’s country of corn reaches 15.8 million tons in 2023. Maize
is a valuable crop, as it can be used for both grain production and for silage
and green forage for cattle. Among maize food products are flour, groats,
cornflakes, and vegetable oil. Besides, starch, syrup, alcohol, and many other
products can be produced from maize. Geographically,
there are some areas of Russia with the biggest production of corn. These areas
are Central Russia which contributes of corn
38% of domestic corn, followed by Southern Russia with contributes 30% of
domestic production, North Caucasus with contributes 21% of domestic
production, and the Volga with contributes 8% of domestic production.
10. South Africa
South Africa is the 10th biggest country in corn
production. Statistically, in 2023, the production of South Africa’s corn
reaches 16.4 million tons. Statistically,
in this country, Corn remains South Africa’s top crop in terms of both area and
production. Geographically, there are some provinces in South Africa that become the main area of Maize
production. These main provinces are Free State, Mpumalanga, Northwest, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal
11. France
France is the 10th biggest producer of Maize in 2021. According to
FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Maize from
France reached 15,358,300 tons. Geographically, there are some regions in
France that have become the main production of Maize. These regions
include Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie,
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Auvergne -Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and
Grand Est.
The Summary of 10 World's Largest Country Producers of Maize in 2023
Bibliography of Top 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries
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