10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory- According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), there are 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory. These countries have huge production of Lettuce and Chicory. Functionally, Lettuce and Chicory used in Salad menus. Many people consumed it freshly in Salad and other culinary menu.
Genetically, Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus) has the close relationship. These crops can be classified into Subdivision: spermatophytes; Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Asteranae; Order: Asterales; Family: Asteraceae. Due to in Araceae family, Lettuse and Chicory have the close relatioship with Cynara scolymus (globe artichoke), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón), Carthamus tinctorius (safflower), Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), Chrysanthemum, Parthenium argentatum (guayule), Zinnia and others plant.
The World’s Harvested Areas, Productions, and Yield of Lettuce and chicory
| Years | World’s Harvested Areas | World’s Production of Lettuce and Chicory | World’s Yield / Productivity of Letture and Chicory |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Hectare (Ha)) | (Tons) | (Tons/ hectare (ha)) | |
| 1980 | 451,545 | 8,449,156 | 18.71 |
| 1981 | 455,694 | 8,757,080 | 19.22 |
| 1982 | 461,382 | 8,998,123 | 19.50 |
| 1983 | 463,832 | 8,774,740 | 18.92 |
| 1984 | 478,449 | 9,377,984 | 19.60 |
| 1985 | 485,770 | 9,434,817 | 19.42 |
| 1986 | 485,692 | 9,485,422 | 19.53 |
| 1987 | 500,523 | 10,198,636 | 20.38 |
| 1988 | 525,661 | 10,800,439 | 20.55 |
| 1989 | 539,802 | 11,255,251 | 20.85 |
| 1990 | 547,860 | 11,572,518 | 21.12 |
| 1991 | 566,663 | 11,939,883 | 21.07 |
| 1992 | 577,524 | 12,700,620 | 21.99 |
| 1993 | 620,264 | 13,252,336 | 21.37 |
| 1994 | 664,328 | 14,261,120 | 21.47 |
| 1995 | 666,867 | 14,328,984 | 21.49 |
| 1996 | 719,802 | 15,335,317 | 21.30 |
| 1997 | 752,924 | 16,403,499 | 21.79 |
| 1998 | 778,897 | 16,149,102 | 20.73 |
| 1999 | 816,595 | 17,191,619 | 21.05 |
| 2000 | 855,541 | 18,398,156 | 21.50 |
| 2001 | 879,501 | 18,837,467 | 21.42 |
| 2002 | 926,297 | 20,281,360 | 21.90 |
| 2003 | 962,411 | 21,467,354 | 22.31 |
| 2004 | 1,055,200 | 22,533,205 | 21.35 |
| 2005 | 1,039,808 | 22,585,978 | 21.72 |
| 2006 | 1,101,782 | 23,616,667 | 21.43 |
| 2007 | 1,102,145 | 23,745,207 | 21.54 |
| 2008 | 1,105,833 | 23,824,885 | 21.54 |
| 2009 | 1,117,225 | 24,174,561 | 21.64 |
| 2010 | 1,144,744 | 24,659,806 | 21.54 |
| 2011 | 1,149,499 | 25,106,875 | 21.84 |
| 2012 | 1,160,754 | 25,737,323 | 22.17 |
| 2013 | 1,144,259 | 24,627,008 | 21.52 |
| 2014 | 1,171,531 | 25,187,449 | 21.50 |
| 2015 | 1,221,899 | 26,364,722 | 21.58 |
| 2016 | 1,204,424 | 26,355,388 | 21.88 |
| 2017 | 1,229,938 | 26,758,094 | 21.76 |
| 2018 | 1,234,918 | 27,092,733 | 21.94 |
| 2019 | 1,214,745 | 26,843,424 | 22.10 |
| 2020 | 1,215,234 | 27,019,521 | 22.23 |
| 2021 | 1,213,340 | 27,011,748 | 22.26 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |||
According to the World’s Database from FAOSTAT, the World’s production of Lettuce and Chicory have increased from time to time. In 1980, the world’s production of Lettuce and Chicory around 8.4 million tons with harvested areas around 451 thousand hectares (ha). Furthermore, after 30 years, exactly in 2021, the world’s production of lettuce and Chicory around 27 million tons and harvested areas around 1.2 million tons. From 1980 to 2021, the range of yield/ productivity of lettuce and chicory around 18-22.26 tone/hectare.
The Production of Lettuce and Chicory Based on Continent
| Continent | Production of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (tons) | |
| Africa | 606,861 |
| Americas | 4,498,356 |
| Asia | 17,490,185 |
| Europe | 4,248,518 |
| Oceania | 167,828 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Specifically, based on the continent regions, the production areas of Lettuce and chicory spread across the continents. Basically, the main growing and cultivation region of lettuce and Chicory located in Asia with output of production around 17 million tons in 2021. Furthermore, Americas and Europe are the next position with output of Lettuce and Chicory around 4.4 million tons and 4.2 million tons, respectively. Meanwhile, Africa and Oceania produce 600 thousand tons and 167 thousand tons, respectively.
Based on country database, there are 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory. Here are the rank of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. All of the data was obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT).
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory
| Ranks | Country | Production of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 14,363,506 |
| 2 | United States of America | 3,395,480 |
| 3 | India | 1,129,374 |
| 4 | Spain | 1,066,010 |
| 5 | Italy | 963,280 |
| 6 | Japan | 575,279 |
| 7 | Belgium | 564,850 |
| 8 | Türkiye | 540,569 |
| 9 | Mexico | 509,084 |
| 10 | France | 479,180 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
The Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory
1.China, mainland
China is the biggest producer of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from China reached 14,363,506 tons. Geographically, there are some main growing areas of Lettuce in China. Some of the provinces with huge production of Lettuce are Hainan, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi province. Genetically, there are some varieties of Lettuce in China. Some of the varieties are iceberg, Chinese leaf, romaine, red leaf, red oak, Indian and Egyptian lettuce. Furthermore, in China, there are also some varieties of Chicory. Some of them are Kuoye, Yifeng, Oubao, Chicory OG02, Commander, Europe, Puna (Wang and Cui., 2011).
2.United States of America
United States of America is the 2nd World’s biggest producer of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from USA reached 3,395,480 tons. Based on Genotypes, some of the cultivars of lettuce that commonly grown in USA are iceberg, Batavia, romaine, speckled romaine, green leaf, red leaf, butterhead. Based on the regions, Lettuce production in the United States located in in California (75–80%) and Arizona (20–25%) (Simko et al., 2014).
3.India
India is the 3rd World’s biggest producer of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. Statistically, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from India reached 1,129,374 tons. In India, there are some varieties of Lettuce. Some of them are Iceberg, Great Lakes, Bogampo, L-S-1, L-S-2.
4.Spain
Spain is the 4th World’s biggest producer of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from Spain reached 1,066,010 tons. Geographically, based on the statista database, the main growing region of Lettuce production located in Murcia, Andalusia, Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, Canary Islands, and Catalonia.
5.Italy
Italy also has huge production of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. Statistically, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from Italy reached 963,280 tons.
6.Japan
Japan is the Asian country beside China that has huge production of Lettuce and Chicory. Statistically, the production of lettuce and chicory from Japan reached 575,279 tons. Based on the geograpical areas, based on Japan CROPs database, the main production areas of Lettuce located in Nagano contributing of 32% of national production, Ibaraki (15.9%), Gunma (10%), and Nagasaki (6%). Meanwhile, some of cultivars that commonly cultivated in Japan are Super Rosaline, Shinano Lettuce, Olympia Lettuce, Spring Lettuce, Summer Autumn Lettuce, Winter Lettuce, Chishatou, and Batavia Red.
7.Belgium
Belgium is the one of the world’s biggest lettuce and chicory producer in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from Belgium reached 564,850 tons.
8.Türkiye
Türkiye is the 8th World’s biggest producer of Lettuce and Chicory in 2021. Statistically, the production of lettuce and chicory from Türkiye reached 540,569 tons. Geographically, Most of the lettuces produced in Turkey are grown in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Marmara regions (Zelyüt et al., 2021). Commonly, these regions have warm and temperate climates.
9.Mexico
Mexico also became one of the world’s biggest producers of lettuce and chicory in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from Mexico reached 509,084 tons. Geographically, Most of the lettuces in Mexico can be found in some areas. Some of the areas are Guanajuato produced 138,000 tons of lettuce followed by Zacatecas with 96,097 tons, and Puebla with 65,898 tons (Hortidaily., 2023).
10.France
France also has huge production of lettuce and Chicory in 2021. Statistically, the production of Lettuce and Chicory from France reached 479,180 tons. Geograpically, in France, Chicory can be found in Hauts-de-France regions with company’s producers namely, Leroux and the Chicorée du Nord company
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Lettuce and Chicory
FAOSTAT. 2023. Production/Yield quantities of Lettuce and chicory in World + (Total). Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on May 16th, 2023.
Wang, Q. and Cui, J., 2011. Perspectives and utilization technologies of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.): A review. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(11), pp.1966-1977.
Simko, I., Hayes, R.J., Mou, B. and McCreight, J.D., 2014. Lettuce and spinach. Yield gains in major US field crops, 33, pp.53-85. DOI: 10.2135/cssaspecpub33.c4
Statista. 2023. Volume of lettuce produced in Spain in 2020, by autonomous community. Accessed via https://www.statista.com/statistics/785834/production-from-lettuce-in-spain-by-community-autonomous/ on May 16th, 2023.
Japan CROPs. 2023. Lettuce. Accessed via https://japancrops.com/en/crops/lettuce/ on May 16th, 2023.
Zelyüt, F.R. and Ertunç, F., 2021. Population genetic analysis of lettuce big-vein disease viruses and their vector fungi Olpidium virulentus in Ankara province, Turkey. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 113, p.101593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2020.101593
Hortidaily.2023.Guanajuato is the leading producer of Mexican lettuce Accessed via https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9517810/guanajuato-is-the-leading-producer-of-mexican-lettuce/ on May 16th, 2023.
Comme des Français. Story Chicory. Accessed via https://commedesfrancais.com/gb/story/la-chicoree on May 16th, 2023.