10 World’s Biggest Producers of Okra- According to FAOSTAT Database, there are 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Okra in 2021. These countries has huge production of Okra. Functionally, Okra has many health benefits. The benefits of okra include preventing diabetes, lowering cholesterol, preventing the development of cancer, and good for digestive system. Furthermore, the Okra can be used in some culinary / food menu in some countries. Okra can be used in Creole gumbo, salad, and Pickles.
Taxonomically, based on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), Okra can be classified into Subdivision: spermatophytes; Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Rosanae; Order: Malvales; Family: Malvaceae; Genus: Abelmoschus; Species: Abelmoschus moschatus. Due to this plant is included into Malvaceae family, Okra has close relatioship with some plants in the same family. Some of the plants are Cotton (Gossypium), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), cacao (Theobroma cacao), kola nut (Cola spp.), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and Alcea rosea.
The World’s Harvested Areas, Production, and Yield of Okra From 1980 to 2021
| Years | World’s Harvested Area | World’s Production | Yield / Productivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Hectare) | (Tons) | (Tons / Hectare) | |
| 1980 | 561,316 | 2,510,767 | 4.47 |
| 1981 | 551,209 | 2,498,197 | 4.53 |
| 1982 | 565,178 | 2,603,876 | 4.61 |
| 1983 | 581,901 | 2,714,462 | 4.66 |
| 1984 | 607,920 | 2,869,398 | 4.72 |
| 1985 | 638,595 | 2,934,489 | 4.60 |
| 1986 | 677,790 | 3,084,545 | 4.55 |
| 1987 | 690,689 | 3,165,634 | 4.58 |
| 1988 | 675,879 | 3,177,384 | 4.70 |
| 1989 | 714,159 | 3,615,580 | 5.06 |
| 1990 | 778,217 | 3,590,729 | 4.61 |
| 1991 | 785,883 | 3,881,724 | 4.94 |
| 1992 | 809,412 | 4,041,039 | 4.99 |
| 1993 | 821,486 | 4,085,425 | 4.97 |
| 1994 | 768,418 | 4,791,569 | 6.24 |
| 1995 | 898,649 | 5,740,501 | 6.39 |
| 1996 | 875,121 | 5,692,062 | 6.50 |
| 1997 | 850,869 | 5,582,696 | 6.56 |
| 1998 | 832,116 | 5,125,440 | 6.16 |
| 1999 | 830,187 | 5,394,205 | 6.50 |
| 2000 | 875,715 | 5,461,176 | 6.24 |
| 2001 | 903,569 | 5,449,570 | 6.03 |
| 2002 | 892,582 | 5,485,419 | 6.15 |
| 2003 | 916,984 | 5,760,538 | 6.28 |
| 2004 | 946,082 | 5,962,439 | 6.30 |
| 2005 | 939,876 | 5,827,698 | 6.20 |
| 2006 | 999,399 | 6,379,273 | 6.38 |
| 2007 | 1,051,222 | 6,743,439 | 6.41 |
| 2008 | 1,026,770 | 6,663,980 | 6.49 |
| 2009 | 1,064,198 | 7,115,998 | 6.69 |
| 2010 | 1,093,617 | 7,466,841 | 6.83 |
| 2011 | 1,696,069 | 8,029,022 | 4.73 |
| 2012 | 1,816,542 | 9,725,130 | 5.35 |
| 2013 | 1,862,050 | 9,671,614 | 5.19 |
| 2014 | 1,876,129 | 9,823,220 | 5.24 |
| 2015 | 2,722,116 | 9,264,880 | 3.40 |
| 2016 | 2,166,832 | 8,830,434 | 4.08 |
| 2017 | 2,154,649 | 9,218,405 | 4.28 |
| 2018 | 2,437,281 | 9,638,309 | 3.95 |
| 2019 | 2,860,325 | 10,033,275 | 3.51 |
| 2020 | 2,400,543 | 10,643,725 | 4.43 |
| 2021 | 2,478,132 | 10,822,249 | 4.37 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |||
Statistically, the world’s production of Okra has been increasing from time to time. in 1980, the world’s production of Okra still 2,510,767 tons with world’s harvested area around 561,316 hectares (ha). Meanwhile, in 2021, the world’s production of okra had become 10,822,248 tons with world’s harvested areas around 2,478,132 hectares (ha). Based on another variable, the world’s yield / productivity of okra from 1980-2021 is around 4 – 6.6 tons / hectare (ha).
The Production of Okra Based on Continent
| Continent | Production of Okra in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 3,600,881 |
| Americas | 81,698 |
| Asia | 7,124,510 |
| Europe | 9,146 |
| Oceania | 6,014 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Specifically, along with the increasing needs of Okra from time to time, the production of Okra based spread across some regions or continents. Commonly, Asia still becomes the major production area of Okra in 2021 with production around 7,124,510 tons. Furthermore, Africa is the second position with production around 3,600,881 tons. Meanwhile, the production of Okra from Americas, Europe, and Oceania are 81 thousand tons, 9 thousand tons, and 6 thousand tons, respectively.
In the country statistical production of Okra, there are some biggest producers of Okra in 2021. All the data was obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021. Here is the rank of World’s Biggest Producers of Okra.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Okra
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Okra in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | India | 6,466,000 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1,917,407 |
| 3 | Mali | 669,688 |
| 4 | Sudan | 322,403 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 263,448 |
| 6 | Côte d’Ivoire | 193,194 |
| 7 | Niger | 132,139 |
| 8 | Iraq | 93,396 |
| 9 | Cameroon | 84,030 |
| 10 | Egypt | 82,355 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Okra
1.India
India still becomes the World’s biggest producer of Okra in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Okra from India reached 6,466,000 tons. Geographically, based on Apeda Database, the production of Okra in India is concentrated in Gujarat (15% of national production), West Bengal (13%), Bihar (12.3), and Madhya Pradesh (11.7%), and Orissa (10.3). Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in India, namely Kashi Ageti, Kashi Shristi, Kashi Lalima, Kashi Chaman, and Kashi Vardaan.
2.Nigeria
Nigeria is the 2nd World’s biggest producer of Okra in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Okra from Nigeria reached 1,917,407 tons. In Nigeria, there are some cultivars of Okra that commonly cultivated in Nigeria. Some of the cultivars are LD 88, Clemsion, Spineless, Lady’s Finger, V-35, White Velvet, and Ex-Borno (Kumar et al., 2010).
3.Mali
Mali is another country from Africa region that has huge production of Okra. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Okra from Mali reached 669,688 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Mali. Some of the cultivars are Yelen, Clemson Spineless, Sabalibougou, Keleya (Kumar et al., 2010).
4.Sudan
Sudan is the next biggest producer of Okra in 2021. Statistically, the production of Okra from Sudan reached 322,403 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Sudan. Some of the cultivars are Pusa Sawani, Clemson Spineless, and Khrtoumeia.
5.Pakistan
Pakistan is the 5th largest producer of Okra in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Okra from Pakistan reached 263,448 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Pakistan. Some of the cultivars Arka Anamika, Puja, Anmol, Sabz-Pari and Sharmeeli (Rahman., 2012)
6.Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is the 6th biggest producer of Okra in 2021. Statistically, the production of Okra from Côte d’Ivoire reached 193,194 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Cote d’Ivoire. Some of the cultivars are Hire, Perkins Long Pod, Koto, Tom (Rahman., 2012).
7.Niger
Niger is the 7th biggest producer of Okra in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Okra from Niger reached 132,139 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Niger. Some of the cultivars are Konni, Terra (purified landrace), Volta (Rahman., 2012).
8.Iraq
Iraq is the 8th biggest producer of Okra in 2021. Statistically, the production of Okra from Iraq achieved 93,396 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Iraq. Some of the cultivars are Petra, batera andhusayniya (Al-Kanani et al., 2019).
9.Cameroon
Cameroon also has huge production of Okra in 2021. Commonly, the production of Okra from Cameroon reached 84,030 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Cameroon. Some of the cultivars are Clemson Spineless, Volta, Emerald, Gombo Paysan, Gombo Cafeier (Rahman., 2012).
10.Egypt
Egypt is the 10th biggest producer of Okra in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Okra from Egypt reached 82,355 tons. Genetically, there are some cultivars of Okra in Egypt. Some of the cultivars are Al-Hemaa, Al-Sabahia, Al-Sheikh Makram, Aswan, Damanhur, Ityei El-Barud, Manshaa, Red and Tanta (Shalan et al., 2011).
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Okra
FAOSTAT. 2023. Production quantities of Okra by country. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on May 15th, 2023.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2023. Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. Accessed via https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=21772#null on May 15th, 2023.
Apeda. 2023. Indian Production of OKRA/ LADYFINGER. Accessed via https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/India%20Production/India_Productions.aspx?cat=Vegetables&hscode=1079 on May 15th, 2023.
Kumar, S., Dagnoko, S., Haougui, A., Ratnadass, A., Pasternak, N. and Kouame, C., 2010. Okra (Abelmoschus spp.) in West and Central Africa: Potential and progress on its improvement.
Rahman, K., 2012. Performance of different okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivars under the agro-climatic conditions of Dera Ismail Khan. Pakistan Journal of Science, 64(4).
Al-Kanani, E.A.S., Al-Hilifi, S.A.H. and Al-Kareem, A.H., 2019, November. The nutritional composition and vitamin E of three Iraqi okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) seeds oil. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 388, No. 1, p. 012058). IOP Publishing. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/388/1/012058.
Shalan, M.A.A., Shanan, S.A., Abdou, A.A., Amer, S.S.A., Alabd, M.T.G. and Alaaeldin, A.H., 2011. Comparative studies on nine Egyptian okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes via physical and chemical characteristics. Al-Azhar Journal of Agricultural Research, 11, pp.81-95.