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 2022, the world’s production of corn reaches 1.16 billion tons with a harvested area of around 203 million hectares. Its production makes this species become one of the most cultivated plants in the world.
Historically, corn was firstly 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.
Taxonomically, maize plant is 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.
Statistical Production of Zea Mays Based on Continent in 2022
Based on the statistics data on the continent region, this plant can be seen all over the continent and there are some primary areas of maize plantation. America’s continent still has the biggest production with 577 million tons or contributing 50 % of the world’s corn production. Asia become the second biggest maize production with 389 million tons or contributing 34 % of corn production. Europe is the third with 102 million tons or contributing 9 % of the world’s corn production. Africa is the fourth with 92 million tons or contributing 8 % of the world’s corn production.
World’s Productions and Harvested Areas of Maize From 2000 to 2022
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 2021 | Production of Maize in 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | (Tons) | ||
| 1 | United States of America | 383,943,000 | 348,750,930 |
| 2 | China, mainland | 272,552,000 | 277,203,000 |
| 3 | Brazil | 88,461,943 | 109,420,717 |
| 4 | Argentina | 60,525,805 | 59,037,179 |
| 5 | India | 31,650,000 | 33,729,540 |
| 6 | Mexico | 27,503,478 | 26,625,694 |
| 7 | Ukraine | 42,109,850 | 26,186,930 |
| 8 | Indonesia | 20,010,000 | 23,564,000 |
| 9 | South Africa | 16,870,705 | 16,137,000 |
| 10 | Russia | 16,870,705 | 15,582,434 |
| Source : FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), 2024 | |||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Maize-Producing Countries
1. United States of America
The United Stas 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 country reach 348 million tons.
Geographically, in 2021, there are some states in the USA that has 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 2022 based on FAO Statistical Corporate Database. Overall, the production of its corn reaches 277 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 agroclimatic 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 third biggest in corn production. In 2022, based on the FAO Statistical database, Brazil’s corn reaches 109 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 fourth-biggest corn producer in the world. Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2022, the production of tango’s country reaches 59 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 2022, based on the FAO Statistical database, the production of Mahatma Gandhi’s country reaches 33 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. Mexico
Mexico is the next biggest country from the American Continent of corn Production. In 2022, the production of Mexico’s corn reaches 26.6 million tons. Geographically, there is some state in Mexico as the main area of con production. These areas are the states of Mexico, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Puebla.
7. Ukraine
Ukraine is the fifth biggest in corn production. In 2022, its production reach 26.1 million tons. Geographically, In this country, there are some main are of corn production, these are Polvatta with contributing 13% of national corn production, followed by Vinnytsia, Summy, Chernihiv with each of them contributing 9% of national corn production, and Gherkassy, Kyiv, Kirovograd with contributing 8%, 7%, 7%, 7%, respectively.
8. Indonesia
Indonesia is the eighth biggest in corn production. In 2022, its production reached 23.5 million tons based on FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT). Geographically, in this country, there are some main 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. South Africa
South Africa is the 9th biggest country in corn production. Statistically, in 2022, the production of South Africa’s corn reaches 16.1 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 becomes the main area of Maize production. These main provinces are Free State, Mpumalanga, Morth West, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Nata
10. Russian Federation
Russia is the 10th biggest country of corn production. Karl Marx’s country of corn reaches 15.8 million tons in 2022. 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 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. 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 tonnes. 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.
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