10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines

 

10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines- According to FAO Statistics (FAOSTAT) Database, there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of peaches and nectarines.  These countries have a huge production of Peach fruits in 2022. Commonly, Peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae family and believed to have originated in China, although it was thought that peach is native to Persia (Hans., et al 2020). Functionally, many people still consume fruits because of the taste and nutritional substances that have a good impact on our health.

Taxonomically, based on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the peach can be classified into Order: Rosales; Family: Rosaceae; Genus: Prunus; Species: P. persica. In addition, in terms relationship with other crops or trees with the same family in Rosaceae family, peach has close relationship with including various edible fruits, namely apples (Malus domestica), pears (Pyrus L.), quinces (Cydonia oblonga), raspberries, blackberries (Rubus subg. Rubus), strawberries (F. × ananassa), and almonds (Prunus dulcis).

World’s Harvested Areas, Productions, and Yields of Peaches and Nectarines From 1980 to 2022

Years	Harvested Areas	World’s Production	Yield / Productivity
	(Hectares)	(Tons)	(Tons/ hectare)
1980	754,421	7,535,093	9.99
1981	755,383	7,706,940	10.20
1982	761,679	7,466,631	9.80
1983	789,792	7,724,929	9.78
1984	799,597	7,959,254	9.95
1985	996,304	7,752,494	7.78
1986	1,081,429	8,088,583	7.48
1987	1,127,963	8,137,914	7.21
1988	1,324,019	8,662,205	6.54
1989	1,455,681	9,135,853	6.28
1990	1,330,967	9,397,425	7.06
1991	1,343,191	9,464,950	7.05
1992	1,389,623	10,910,809	7.85
1993	1,390,995	10,874,281	7.82
1994	1,424,055	11,627,658	8.17
1995	1,381,114	10,923,493	7.91
1996	1,317,337	11,734,990	8.91
1997	1,258,856	11,144,266	8.85
1998	1,232,296	11,477,603	9.31
1999	1,278,441	13,309,804	10.41
2000	1,274,061	13,278,297	10.42
2001	1,249,970	13,915,470	11.13
2002	1,358,753	14,816,234	10.90
2003	1,443,467	15,432,873	10.69
2004	1,489,503	16,703,640	11.21
2005	1,506,208	18,035,772	11.97
2006	1,513,374	18,387,001	12.15
2007	1,537,195	19,514,740	12.70
2008	1,501,094	19,715,612	13.13
2009	1,524,999	20,372,127	13.36
2010	1,535,989	20,531,685	13.37
2011	1,545,625	21,222,569	13.73
2012	1,541,756	21,286,190	13.81
2013	1,562,361	21,790,303	13.95
2014	1,533,004	22,525,431	14.69
2015	1,631,555	23,900,011	14.65
2016	1,554,606	23,252,935	14.96
2017	1,496,073	23,732,143	15.86
2018	1,478,551	23,895,259	16.16
2019	1,476,987	24,610,870	16.66
2020	1,466,309	24,267,464	16.55
2021	1,504,682	24,994,352	16.61
2022	1,542,648	26,354,497	17.08
Source :FAOSTAT, 2024

Based on the FAOSTAT, the world’s production and harvested areas of peach fruits has increased gradually from time to time. In 1980, the world’s production of peaches was just 7.5 million tons with harvested areas around 754 thousand hectares (ha).  Furthermore, after more than 40 years, exactly in 2022, the world’s production of peach has become 26 million tons with harvested areas around 1.5 million hectares (ha).  Based on the productivity/ yield of peach, the yield of peach also increased from 9.9 tons / hectare in 1980, and it had become 17.08 tons/ hectare (t/ha) in 2022.

 

World’s Production of Peaches and Nectarines Based on Continent in 2022

 

Continent	Production Of Peaches Based on Continent in 2022
	(Tons)
Africa	1,112,674
Americas	1,882,018
Asia	19,822,626
Europe	3,448,491
Oceania	88,688
Source : FAOSTAT, 2024

 

Specifically, based on the continental statistics, the production of peaches is concentrated into some regions. Asia still becomes the main production area with output of peaches reaching 19.8 million tons. Furthermore, the European region was in the second position of peach production that produced 3.4 million tons followed by Americans with production around 1.8 million tons. Meanwhile, Africa regions can produce only 1.1 million tons and Oceania with 88 thousand tons.

Based on the country’s production, there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines. Here is the rank of Peach Producers and All of this data was obtained from FAO Statistics (FAOSTAT).

 

The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines in 2022

 

Ranks	Country	Production Peaches and Nectarines in 2022
		(Tons)
1	China, mainland	16,800,000
2	Italy	1,151,490
3	Türkiye	1,008,185
4	Greece	894,510
5	Spain	870,720
6	United States of America	666,490
7	Iran (Islamic Republic of)	577,296
8	Chile	312,907
9	Egypt	272,592
10	Morocco	247,870
Source : FAOSTAT, 2024

 

The Brief Descriptions of World’s Biggest Country Producers of Peach

 

1. China, mainland         

China still becomes the biggest country producer of peaches in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2022, the production of peach in China reached 16,800,000 tons. Many scientific publications recognise China as the origin of the Peach. Geographically, in China, the main production and cultivation area of peach are concentrated in Shandong (Contributing more than 20% of national production), Hebei (contributing around 10-20% to national production), and other provinces including Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi. Genetically, in China, there are several popular cultivars of peaches that are commonly planted and cultivated. These cultivars include Mitao, Feicheng Tao, Shenzhou Mitao, Shuimitao, and Yidou Mitao (Gileski., 2018).

2. Italy  

Italy is the 2^nd biggest producer of Peach in 2022. According to FAO Statistics, the production of peaches from Italy reached 1,151,490 tons. Geographically, the cultivation of peaches can be found in some regions and cities in Italy. These areas include Verona, Bologna, Agrigento, Palermo Forlì-Cesena, Ferrara, Ravenna, and others. Genetically, in Italy, there are some popular peaches. Some of the popular peaches include Pesca di Leonforte, Pescabivona, Pesca e Nettarina di Romagna, and Pesca di Verona.

3. Türkiye           

Türkiye is the 3^rd biggest country producer of Peach in 2022. Commonly, the production of peaches from Turkey reached 1,008,185 tons. Geographically, in Türkiye, the main areas of peace are in the provinces of Bursa (Marmara region) and Canakkale (Marmara region), Izmir (Aegean region), and Mersin (Mediterranean region). Genetically, based on the varieties, there are some popular varieties of peaches in Türkiye. These varieties include Early Amber, Spring Crest, May Crest, Red Haven, Cardinal, J.H. Hale and Early Red (Karabina., 2017).

4. Greece            

Greece is the 7^th World’s biggest country producer of peaches in 2022. According to FAO Statistics, the production of peaches from Greece reached 894,510 tons.  Geographically, Peaches in Greece are located and cultivated mostly in Macedonia with main production areas in the cities of Pella, Imathia, and Kozani.  Genetically, some of peaches that has popular in Greece are Free-stone peaches (Springtime, Spring crest, June gold, Dixired, Red haven), Nectarines (Arm king, May grand, Independence, Flavor top and Stark red gold), and Cling-stone peaches (Fortuna, Loadel, Vivian, Andross, Klampt, Halford and Everts) (Kukurjannis, 1985).

5. Spain

Spain is the 5^th biggest country producer of peach in 2022. Statistically, according to FAO Statistics, the production of peaches from Spain reached 870,720 tons. Geographically, in Spain, according to Statista, there are main growing areas of Peach in 2021. These regions include Murcia, Aragon, Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, Andalusia, Region of Valencia, La Rioja, Navare. Based on the production, Murcia has the biggest production than any other region with output around 200 thousand tons, followed by Aragon with production around 174 thousand tons, and Catalonia with production around 142 thousand tons. Genetically, in this country, there are some popular peaches that are commonly cultivated. These varieties include Murcia, Lérida, Badajoz, Sevilla, Valencia, Huesca, and Zaragoza.

6. United States of America        

The United States of America (USA) also has huge production of peaches in 2022. Overall, the production of peaches from the United States of America reached 666,490 tons. Based on the production area of peaches in the United States of America (USA), there are some states that have huge productions. California, South Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, and Pennsylvania are some of the biggest states that have huge production of peaches. Of all states above, California is the biggest state in the USA that has huge production.

7. Iran (Islamic Republic of)        

Iran is the next country that have a huge production of peaches in 2022. Statistically, the production of peaches from Iran reached 577,296 tons. Geographically, in Iran, there are some regions of peach orchards. Kurdistan province, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Bakhtiari Province, Alborz province, and Mazandaran province are some of the main growing areas of peach in Iran.  Genetically, there are some types / varieties of peaches that have been planted in Iran. These kinds of peaches include Balkhi, Kardi, Saffron, and Donut Peaches.

8. Chile 

Chile is the 8^th world’s biggest country producer of peaches and nectaries in 2022. Basically, the production of peaches from Chile reached 312,907 tons. Geographically, in Chile, some orchards of peaches can be found in some regions, namely O’Higgins, Maule and Ñuble regions, BioBio, Araucanía, Los Rios, and Los Lagos regions (Merchant et al., 2022).

9. Egypt

Egypt is the next biggest producer of peaches and nectarines in 2022. According to FAO Statistics, the production of peaches from Egypt reached 272,592 tons. Geographically, in Egypt, one of the peach orchards is in Sedy Salem District, Kafrelsheikh governorate. Genetically, some of the types of peach that is planted in Egypt are Florida Prince, Early Grand and Desert Red (Zayan et al., 2014).

10.Morocco        

Morocco is the next biggest producer of peaches and nectarines in 2022. According to FAO Statistics, the production of peaches reached 247,870 tons. Geographically, the cultivation of peaches in Morocco primarily concentrated in the regions of Zagora, Ouarzazate, Errachidia, Gharb, Doukkala Abda, Souss-Massa, and the Oriental regions.

The Table Rank of 10 World's Largest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines 

The Histogram of 10 World's Largest Country Producers of Peaches and Nectarines 

Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Peaches and Nectarines in 2022

FAOSTAT. 2023. Production quantities of Peaches and nectarines by country. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize  on May 4th, 2023.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2023.Prunus persica  (L.) Batsch Taxonomic Serial No.: 24765 Accesed via https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24765#null on May 4th, 2023.

Hans, M., Shah, M.A., Bansal, R. (2020). Peach. In: Nayik, G.A., Gull, A. (eds) Antioxidants in Fruits: Properties and Health Benefits. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7285-2_23.

Gileski, S. 2018. China – People's Republic of Stone Fruit Annual 2018. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Accesed via https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Stone%20Fruit%20Annual_Beijing_China%20-%20Peoples%20Republic%20of_6-29-2018.pdf  on May 4th, 2023.

Statista. 2023. Annual volume of peaches produced in Spain in 2021, by an autonomous community. Accessed via https://www.statista.com/statistics/743224/peach-production-volume-spain-by-region/ on May 4th, 2023.

Plantae. 2023.The peach in Spain, varieties, and care with sensors. Accessed via https://plantae.garden/en/the-peach-in-spain-varieties-and-cares/ on May 4th, 2023.

Tasteatlas. 2022. 4 Most Popular Italian Peaches. Accessed via https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-peaches-in-italy on May 4th, 2023.

Karabina, K. 2017. Turkey- Stone Fruit Annual. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.  Accessed via https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Stone%20Fruit%20Annual_Ankara_Turkey_8-15-2017.pdf  on May 4th, 2023.

Simon, M.R. 2019. You may not know the top 3, much less the rest. Here are the top peach states in the U.S. Accessed via https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/life/food/2019/03/28/top-ten-states-peaches-california-south-carolina-new-jersey-georgia/3276385002/  on May 4th, 2023.

Simon, M.R. 2019. You may not know the top 3, much less the rest. Here are the top peach states in the U.S. Accessed via https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/life/food/2019/03/28/top-ten-states-peaches-california-south-carolina-new-jersey-georgia/3276385002/  on May 4th, 2023.

Kukurjannis, V.a.s. C.h. (1985). Peach Production in Greece. Acta Hortic. 173, 441-444 DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1985.173.50 https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1985.173.50

Marchant L, Campos J, Luco J, Ramirez C, Barrientos F, Carrasco B and Silva H (2022) Potential of traditional Chilean blood-fleshed peach to support livelihood opportunities in local agriculture. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 6:820811. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.820811.

Zayan, M.A. S. M. Zeerban, G. B. Mikhael and H. M. Abo Ogiela. (2014). ‘Evaluation of Three Peach Cultivars (Prunus persica L.) Grown in Egypt under North Delta Conditions’, Egyptian Journal of Horticulture, 42(Issue 1 The 2nd International Conference on Horticultural Crops, 15-18 March (ICHC- Egypt 2015)), pp. 17-36. doi: 10.21608/ejoh.2014.1065.