30 World’s Most Important Plant Species

 

30 World’s Most Important Plant Species- There are 30 Most Important Plant Species, and these are needed by humans in 2023. These species are absolutely needed by humans to survive. Without them, human existence may become vulnerable. The Most Produced Plant by harvested output indicators came from FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2025.

Of course, based on their functionality with the increasing number of total plant output, the role of a plant to meet basic human needs is getting higher. In the discussion of this article, the order ranking is based on the total production of output (tons) data from the Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), United Nations in 2025.

 

Table Rank 30 Most Important Plant Species in The World Based on FAOSTAT in 2023

Rank	Name of Important Plants	Scientific Name	World’s Area Harvested in 2023	World’s Production in 2023
			Hectare (Ha)	(Tons)
1	Sugarcane	Saccharum officinarum	27,028,428	2,025,797,465
2	Maize	Zea mays	208,234,140	1,241,557,811
3	Paddy	Oryza sativa	168,365,566	799,999,504
4	Wheat	Triticum spp.	220,407,070	798,975,306
5	Oil Palm	Elaeis guineensis	28,959,308	409,151,773
6	Potatoes	Solanum tuberosum L.	186,799,108	383,082,607
7	Soybeans	Glicine max	136,903,849	371,173,609
8	Cassava	Manihot utilissima	32,217,713	333,681,193
9	Tomatoes	Solanum lycopersicum	5,412,458	192,317,973
10	Sugarbeet	Beta vulgaris	4,520,200	281,194,638
11	Banana	Musa spp	5,973,253	139,277,894
12	Watermelons	Citrullus lanatus	3,042,931	104,932,071
13	Apples	Malus domestica	4,618,285	97,339,338
14	Sweet potatoes	Ipomoea batatas	7,570,330	93,519,977
15	Yams	Dioscorea alata	10,609,000	89,345,124
16	Cabbages	Brassica oleracea var. capitata	2,358,985	73,828,504
17	Grapes	Vitis vinifera	6,595,680	72,486,522
18	Orange	Citrus × sinensis	3,413,880	69,845,563
19	Coconut	Cocos nucifera	11,253,700	64,675,251
20	Mango and Guava		6,159,876	61,107,091
21	Sorghum	Sorghum spp.	39,851,368	57,298,318
22	Chillies and Peppers		2,064,408	38,310,350
23	Pineapple	Ananas comosus	1,055,461	29,636,619
24	Cantaloupes and Other Melons		1,092,354	29,541,294
25	Peach	Prunus persica	1,561,641	27,077,873
26	Pear	Pyrus Spp	1,323,228	26,507,458
27	Pumpkin		1,552,024	23,681,834
28	Olive	Olea europaea	11,139,786	20,296,489
29	Natural Rubber	Hevea brasiliensis	13,576,507	14,757,135
30	Papaya	Carica papaya	463,128	14,232,583
31	Plum	Prunus domestica	2,621,876	12,489,827
32	Coffee	Coffea L.	12,185,894	11,064,205
Source: FAOSTAT, 2025

 

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From the table above, it can be concluded that the plants that have the highest total output are still dominated by food plants for human consumption, especially those from the gramineae / Poaceae plant family such as corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans. Furthermore, we also explain about species’ cultivation and distribution in various continents and countries in 2023 below.

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Ranking of Plants and Their Distribution

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32. Coffee/ Coffea spp

Coffee is a perennial crop that has various benefits in every day of human life. Many people enjoy drinking coffee to serve guests, accompany work activities, and reduce sleepiness at night. Biologically, the most widely grown coffee plants consist of Robusta Coffee (Coffea canephora), Liberika Coffee (Coffea Liberica), and Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica). In 2023, the total area for coffee cultivation reached 12.1 million hectares (ha) with a total production of 11 million tons. The continents of Asia and America are the centers of world coffee cultivation. Countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Columbia, and Honduras are some of the largest coffee-producing countries in the world. More specifically, Brazil produced 3.4 million tons of coffee, Vietnam with 1.95 million tons, Indonesia with 760 thousand tons, Columbia with 680 thousand tons, and Ethiopia with 559 thousand tons.

 

31. Plum

Plums are among the earliest fruits to be domesticated by humans, with evidence of cultivation tracing back to approximately 7000 BCE in regions such as the Caucasus Mountains and China. Taxonomically, plums are classified within the Order Rosales, Family Rosaceae, Subfamily Amygdaloideae, Genus Prunus, and Species Prunus domestica. Botanically, this species maintains a close relationship with both peaches and cherries.

 

Plums can be classified into three primary types according to their characteristics: European plums (including varieties such as Italian prunes, mirabelles, and Reine Claudes), Japanese plums (such as Santa Rosa, Satsuma, and Beauty), and Damson plums. Plums are commonly consumed fresh and are also processed into various products, including jams, beverages, dried snacks, desserts, and jellies. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global plum production reached 12.48 million tons in 2023, with China, Romania, Serbia, Chile, Turkiye, and Iran being the leading producers.

 

30. Papaya

 

The papaya plant (Carica papaya) is a short-lived, herbaceous species indigenous to tropical regions of the Americas. Characterised by its single, hollow trunk and a canopy of leaves and fruit at the apex, the papaya resembles a small tree. In India, several notable papaya varieties are cultivated, including Arka Surya, Arka Prabhath, Pusa Majesty, Pusa Delicious, Pusa Dwarf, Pusa Nanha, Coorg Honey Dew, Solo, Red Lady, and Ranchi.

Papaya is a member of the Caricaceae family, native to Central America and the West Indies, particularly regions surrounding Mexico and Costa Rica. From a taxonomic perspective, papaya belongs to the Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Spermatophyta; Subdivision: Angiosperms; Class: Dicotyledonae; Order: Violales; Family: Caricaceae; Genus: Carica; and Species: Carica papaya L. Furthermore, according to data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, total global papaya production reached 14.2 million tons in 2023. The leading producers were India, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia.

  

29. Natural Rubber/ Hevea brasiliensis

 

Rubber, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is among the most widely produced plant species globally. In 2023, global rubber production totalled 14.7 million tons, with cultivation spanning over 13.5 million hectares (ha). Asia remains the predominant region for rubber cultivation, with Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Côte d'Ivoire, and China serving as key centres of production. Rubber latex is an essential raw material, particularly in the automotive industry.

 

28. Olive/ Olea europaea

 

The olive plant is valued for its oil, which offers a range of health, beauty, and culinary applications. In 2023, global olive cultivation covered 11.1 million hectares (Ha), yielding a total production of 20.2 million tons. Major producers include Spain, Turkiye, Italy, and Portugal. Specifically, Spain produced 5.1 million tons, Italy 2.39 million tons, Türkiye 1.5 million tons, and Portugal 1.1 million tons in 2023.

 

27. Pumpkin

In the United States, pumpkins are among the most popular fruits worldwide. Culturally, they symbolise the essence of Halloween in the U.S. On a global scale, fresh pumpkin is widely consumed and serves as an ingredient in various dishes, such as custards, pies, and pancakes.

The pumpkin plant is a trailing fruit-bearing species within the Cucurbitaceae family, exhibiting similar traits to the watermelon. Taxonomically, pumpkins are closely related to melon (Cucumis melo) and cucumber (Cucumis sativum). According to 2023 data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global pumpkin production amounted to 23.6 million tons. The leading pumpkin-producing nations include China, Ukraine, Russia, Spain, Turkiye, and Mexico.

26. Pear

 

The pear plant is a subtropical species believed to originate from Western Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Several varieties of pears are widely recognised, including Green and Red Anjou, Bartlett, Seckel, Bosc, Comice, Asian Pears, Starkrimson, Forelle, Concorde, and William. Taxonomically, the pear belongs to the Division: Magnoliophyta; Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Rosales; Family: Rosaceae; and Genus: Pyrus. According to 2023 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global pear production totalled 26.5 million tons. The principal pear-producing nations include China, the United States, Argentina, Turkiye, and Italy.

 

 

25. Peach

 

Peaches (Prunus persica) are succulent fruits produced by deciduous trees that are originally native to several Asian regions. Globally, peaches are classified into various types, including Clingstone Peaches (such as Flavorich, Carored, Zee Diamond, Springflame, Brittney Lane, Goldprince, Zee Pride, Rubyprince, Fiesta Gem, Summerprince, Early Rich, Sureprince), Semi-Clingstone Peaches (Gala, Rich Lady, Rich Pride), Freestone Peaches (June Flame, Harvester, Blazeprince, Sierra Rich, Fireprince, Scarlet Prince, PF-23, Julyprince, Summer Gold, Zee Lady, Augustprince, August Lady, Valley Sweet, Fat Lady, Flameprince), and Heirloom Peaches (Flavorcrest, Pearson Berta, Southland, Cresthaven, Elberta, Dixiland, Monroe, O’Henry).

The peach, scientifically known as Prunus persica, is a fruit-bearing species classified within the Rosaceae family. Taxonomically, it is categorised under Order: Rosales; Family: Rosaceae; Genus: Prunus; Species: Prunus persica. According to 2023 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, global peach production totalled 27.0 million tons, with China, Spain, Italy, United States of America, and Turkiye identified as the leading producers.

  

24. Cantaloupes and Other Melons

 

Commonly, the melon/ cantaloupe becomes one of the world’s most favorable fruits. Functionally, many people are fond of these fruits and melon/ cantaloupe can be eaten freshly, as an ingredient of juice, and fruit salad. Based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), Taxonomically, this crop can be classified into Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Rosanae; Order: Cucurbitales; Family: Cucurbitaceae; Genus: Cucumis; Species: C. melo. Because of its classification of Cucurbitaceae family, melon/ cantaloupe has close relationship with some crops, namely watermelon (C. lanatus, C. colocynthis), cucumber (C. sativus), Pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita pepo).

Genetically, some of the popular melon and cantaloupe’s cultivars, namely Home Rum, Galia, Savory, Hami, Canary, Kirkagac, Santa Clause, and Charentais. Maybe in different countries, some melons have different names because it depends on the company who owns the trademarks. Meanwhile, in the year 2023, the world’s production of Cantaloupe and melon reached 29.5 million tons with the world's harvested area around 1 million hectares (ha).

 

23. Pineapples

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is believed to have originated in South America and was first encountered by Europeans in 1493 on a Caribbean island. By the late 16th century, Portuguese and Spanish explorers had introduced pineapple to Asia, Africa, and the Pacific regions. Today, pineapple remains one of the world's most widely consumed fruits. Notable cultivars include Smooth Cayenne, Ripley, Red Spanish, MD2, Natal Queen, Abacaxi, Sugarloaf (Kona Sugarloaf), Green Spanish, Delmote Gold, Roja Espanola, James Queen, Singapore Red, among others.

From a taxonomic standpoint, pineapple is classified as follows: Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Spermatophyta; Class: Angiosperms; Order: Farinosae; Family: Bromiliaceae; Genus: Ananas; Species: Ananas comosus L. Statistically, global production of pineapples is estimated at 29.6 million tons. In 2023, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia, and China were identified as the leading pineapple-producing countries.

 

22. Chillies and Peppers

So far, the commodity of the chili plant (Capsicum L) is one of the most popular vegetable crops in some regions in the world. particularly in the culture of people falling in love with spicy food. This fruit can make a spicy taste on all menus because there is capsaicin, an organic compound that makes chilies has a spicy taste. Statistically, according to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the total world’s production of Chillies and peppers reached 38.1 million tons with the world's area harvested reaching 2 million tons.

 

21. Sorghum/  Sorghum spp.

Sorghum, a member of the Poaceae (Gramineae) family, is widely cultivated across the globe. In 2023, global sorghum production reached 57.2 million tons, covering approximately 39.8 million hectares. This crop serves as an important raw material for animal feed, ethanol production, and various food products. Leading sorghum-producing countries in 2023 included the United States (8 million tons), Nigeria (6.4 million tons), Mexico (4.8 million tons), Ethiopia (4 million tons), and Brazil (4.49 million tons).

 

20. Mango and Guava

Mango and guava are widely cultivated in various regions around the world and their fruits are highly valued by consumers. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global production of mangoes and guavas reached 61 million tons in 2023. Major producers include India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Mexico, which accounted for a significant portion of this output.

Globally, notable mango cultivars include Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri, Banganapalli, Himsagar, Totapuri, Manalagi, Arumanis, Golek, among others. Similarly, prominent guava cultivars comprise 'Allahabad Safeda', 'Lucknow-49 (Sardar)', 'Banarsi', 'Apple Colour', 'Chittidar', 'Jambu Biji Merah', 'Jambu Biji Kristal', and 'Jambu Biji Bangkok'.

 

19. Coconut

 

Commonly, the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most useful trees in the tropical areas and this tree is grown in more than 90 countries. Most of the parts of trees including the fruits, stems, leaves can be processed into some useful products to humans. Some of the derivative products from Coconut, namely Coconut water (The refreshing liquid inside young coconuts), Coconut flesh (The white flesh inside a mature coconut can be enjoyed fresh, dried (called copra), or grated), Coconut milk (Made by grating coconut flesh and squeezing out the liquid, coconut milk is a creamy and flavorful base for soups, curries, and stews), Coconut oil (Extracted from dried coconut flesh, coconut oil is a popular cooking oil), Coconut sugar (A natural sweetener derived from the sap of coconut flowers), Coconut lumber (The tall, straight trunks of coconut palms can be used for building furniture, fences, and even houses),  Coconut leaves (The long, green leaves of the coconut palm are used for thatching roofs, making baskets, and weaving mats).  Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the world’s production of Coconut fruits reached 64.6 million tons with area harvested reaching 11.2 million hectares.

  

18. Orange

 

Oranges are widely recognised for their high Vitamin C content and popularity among consumers. Historically, citrus plants originated in Asia, specifically China, where they were first cultivated and developed. Today, citrus plants are extensively grown in various regions across the globe. From a taxonomic perspective, citrus belongs to Division: Spermatophyta; Subdivision: Angiosperms; Class: Dicotyledonae; Order: Rutales; Family: Rutaceae; Genus: Citrus; Species: Citrus sp.

Oranges have long been extensively cultivated and processed around the globe. They remain among the most popular fruits, valued for their numerous benefits. Several well-known orange cultivars include Navel, Cara Cara, Blood Orange, Tangelos, Tangerine, Valencia, Mandarins, Clementines, Seville, among others. According to 2023 data from the FAO, global citrus production reached 69.8 million tons, with Brazil, China, India, the United States, and Mexico being the leading orange-producing countries.

 

17. Grapes

Grapes are shrub plants and can be found in several regions. Historically, the vine came from Armenia, but grape cultivation has spread across the Middle East since 4000 BC. In plant taxonomy, vines are included in the Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Spermatophyta; Subdivision: Angiosperms; Class: Dicotyledonae; Order: Rhamnales; Family: Vitaceae; Genus: Vitis; Species: Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca.

Functionally, grapes are widely used as wine drinks, and a lot of wine is consumed directly fresh. Specifically, the most cultivated grapes are Thompson Seedless, Concord, Moon Drops, Crimson Seedless, Black Corinth, Sweet Jubilee, Scuppernongs, Valiant, Cotton Candy, Autumn, Royal, Thomcord, Niagara, Flame Seedles, and others. Based on data from FAO, the production of grapes worldwide reaches 74 million tons with the world’s largest wine-producing countries in 2023 namely China, Italy, United States, Spain, and France.

 

16. Cabbage

Cabbage is basically popular in some regions. This vegetable can be used in some dishes as ingredients, eaten freshly, and many other uses. Cabbage is a versatile vegetable with diverse culinary and medicinal uses. It can be eaten raw, cooked, or fermented, and is used in dishes like salads, soups, and sauerkraut. Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2023, total world’s cabbage production reached 73.8 million tons with area harvested reaching 2.3 million hectares (ha).

 

15. Yam/ Dioscorea alata

 

Yam is a widely consumed tuber crop globally. In 2023, the total cultivated area reached 10.6 million hectares, yielding approximately 89 million tons. That year, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin ranked among the top producers. Nigeria accounted for 61 million tons of production, followed by Ghana with 10.3 million tons, Ivory Coast with 7.9 million tons, and Benin with 3.3 million tons.

 

14. Sweet Popato/ Ipomoea batatas

 

Sweet potato is a widely cultivated tuber crop with significant global production. In 2023, the total area planted amounted to 7.5 million hectares, yielding approximately 93 million tons. The leading producers include China, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania. That year, China produced 51 million tons, Malawi 8 million tons, Nigeria 4 million tons, and Tanzania 4.5 million tons.

 

13. Apples

Apple is among the most widely consumed fruits globally. Originating from Central Asia—specifically Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Xinjiang, China—the species has since been cultivated in various regions around the world. Apples thrive in cooler climates, making them particularly suitable for temperate environments. Taxonomically, apple plants are classified within the kingdom: Plantae, division: Magnoliophyta, class: Magnolipsida, order : Rosales, family: Rosaceae, subfamily: Maloideae (also known as *Spiraeoideae*), tribe: Maleae, genus: Malus, and the species: Malus sylvestris.

Culturally, apples are primarily consumed fresh by many individuals, although they are also commonly processed into products such as apple chips and apple jam. Several widely cultivated apple varieties include Red Delicious, Junagold, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Royal Gala. According to 2023 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global apple production reached 97.3 million tons, with China, the United States, Türkiye, Poland, and India identified as the leading producers.

 

12. Watermelons

 

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a fruit-bearing plant native to arid tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. It has since been cultivated extensively in various countries, including South Africa, China, Japan, and other parts of the world. From a taxonomic perspective, watermelon belongs to the Kingdom Plantae; Division Magnoliophyta; Class Magnoliopsida; Order Cucurbitales; Family Cucurbitaceae; Genus Citrullus; and Species C. lanatus.

 

Watermelon plants belong to the family Cucurbitaceae, making them closely related to pumpkins, melons (Cucumis melo), and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). Various countries cultivate notable watermelon varieties, including Carolina Cross, Golden Midget, Moon and Stars, Cream of Saskatchewan, Melitopolski, and Densuke. According to 2023 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global watermelon production reached 104.9 million tons, with China, Türkiye, India, Brazil, and Algeria identified as the leading producers. Based on the FAOSTAT Database, watermelon ranks as the third most produced fruit worldwide, attributed largely to its sweetness and refreshing taste.

 

11. Banana/ Musa Spp

 

Banana (Musa spp.) ranks among the most widely consumed fruits globally. In 2023, the total cultivated area was approximately 5.9 million hectares, yielding a total production of 139 million tons. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for 2023, India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador are among the leading banana-producing countries worldwide. India accounted for 36 million tons of production, while China produced 11 million, Indonesia with 9.3 million tons and Nigeria with 7.3 million tons.

 

10. Tomato / Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes represent one of the most significant horticultural crops, widely recognized for their use in sauce production. In 2023, global tomato output reached 192 million tons, cultivated at approximately 5.4 million hectares (ha). Several countries serve as major centers for tomato cultivation: China leads with an output of 70 million tons, followed by India at 20 million tons, Turkey at 13.3 million tons, the United States at 12.3 million tons, and Egypt at 6.2 million tons. Tomatoes are valued for their nutritional benefits and feature prominently in diverse culinary traditions around the world.

 

9. Sugarbeet

 

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is another sugar-producing plant after sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum). Sugar beet is usually grown in sub-tropical areas with cold temperatures, but the invention of beet varieties can thrive in tropical areas.  Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the world’s area harvested of Sugarbeet reached 4,520,200 hectares (ha) with world’s total production of sugarbeet achieving 281,194,638 tons in 2023.

8. Cassava/ Manihot utilissima

 

Cassava, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family native to South America, has been cultivated for tens of thousands of years in regions such as Brazil and Paraguay. Today, cassava remains among the most widely grown crops worldwide. As of 2023, global cassava production totaled approximately 333 million tons, cultivated across 32 million hectares. Africa serves as the primary hub for cassava cultivation, accounting for over 60% of the world's output, with an estimated 169 million tons produced on the continent. In terms of national production figures for 2023, Nigeria led globally with 62.6 million tons, followed by Congo (45 million tons), Thailand (30 million tons), Ghana (26.5 million tons), and Brazil (18.5 million tons).

 

7. Oil Palm / Elaeis guineensis

 

Oil palm is a major agricultural crop in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, which are recognized as the world’s leading producers of palm oil. According to 2023 statistics, global palm oil fruit production reached 409 million tons, cultivated on approximately 28.9 million hectares (ha). The primary producing countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria, and Colombia. FAO Corporate Data (FAOSTAT) for 2023 indicates that Indonesia produced 240 million tons of oil palm fruit, Malaysia 94 million tons, Thailand 18.2 million tons, Nigeria 11.59 million tons, and Colombia 8.3 million tons.

 

6. Soybean/ Glycine max

Soybeans are one of the most widely produced plants of the Fabaceae family in the world. This plant originates from the East Asia region and is widely used as raw material for various foods such as tofu, soy milk, and tempeh (Indonesia). The world’s production of Soybean in 2023 reached 371 million tons. The United States, Brazil, Argentina, China, and India are some of the countries with the largest soybean production in the world. Brazil produces approximately 152 million tons of soybeans, the United States of America with 113 million tons, Argentina with 25 million tons, China with 19 million tons, and India with 14.9 million tons.

 

5. Potatoes/ Solanum tuberosum L.

Potatoes represent one of the most extensively cultivated tuberous crops within the Solanaceae family. As of 2023, global potato cultivation encompassed approximately 186 million hectares, resulting in a total production of around 383 million tons. Major producers include China, India, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Potatoes serve as the basis for numerous processed food products, such as mashed potatoes, french fries, and a variety of other potato-based foods.

 

4. Wheat/  Triticum

Wheat is one of the most cultivated crops by humans in the world in 2023. Its total production in the form of wheat seeds in 2023 reached 798 million tons worldwide with a total planted area of 220 million hectares (ha). The area for wheat cultivation was the largest in the world in 2023 according to data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) than other species of plants. Many people in the world depend on the availability of wheat seeds. The output of this plant is widely used/processed into flour which will be used as raw material for bread, biscuits, pasta, and various other foods.

Geographically, China, India, Russia, and the United States are the largest wheat-producing countries in the world. In 2023, China produced 136 million tons, India 110 million tons, Russia 91 million tons, and the United States (USA) 49 million tons.

  

3. Paddy/ Oryza sativa

Rice is among the most extensively cultivated crops worldwide and holds particular prominence across the Asian continent. This cereal belongs to the Poaceae (Graminae) family and is believed to have originated from either India or Indochina. Rice, the primary product derived from this plant, serves as a staple food for populations throughout Asia. In 2023, global rice production reached 799 million tons, harvested from approximately 168 million hectares (ha) of land. At the national level in 2023, China, India, and Bangladesh were the largest producers, yielding 206 million tons, 206 million tons, and 58 million tons, respectively.

 

2. Maize / Zea Mays

Corn is one of the most cultivated plants from the Poaceae / Graminae family in the world. In 2023, world production for this commodity reached 1.24 billion tons with a planted area of 208 million hectares (ha) worldwide. This plant is widely used as food for humans, livestock (ruminants and poultry), and Ethanol. In terms of producing countries, the United States, China, and Brazil were the largest producers of maize in 2023. Corn production in the United States was 383 million tons, China 288 million tons, and Brazil 131 million tons.

 

1. Sugarcane/ Saccharum officinarum

 

Sugarcane is a popular sweetener crop in the world originating from the Austronesian Region. In 2023, the production of this plant reached 2 billion tons with a total planted area of 27 million hectares worldwide. In 2023, Sugarcane is considered to be one of the most produced crops when measured in terms of the output weight of this crop. If viewed from the countryside, Brazil, India, and China are the top 3 largest producers of sugarcane in the world. In 2023, Brazil’s sugarcane production reached 782 million tons, India at 490 million tons, and China at 104 million tons.

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The Summary of 15 World’s Most Important Plant Species 2023

 

Source of 30 World’s Most Important Plant Species :

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2025. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/visualize on August 6^th, 2025