Top Agricultural Producing Countries (2024)

Food drives the world; apart from clean water, access to adequate food is the primary concern for most people on earth. This makes agriculture one of the largest and most significant industries in the world; agricultural productivity is important not only for a country's balance of tradebut the security and health of its population as well.

With that in mind, which countries produce the most agricultural products, which countries export the most, and what are countries around the world doing to increase their production levels?

Key Takeaways

Agriculture is one of the largest and most significant industries in the world, so taking measures to increase production levels is key for the security and health of a country's population.
Of the major cereal and vegetable crops, the United States, China, India, and Russia are the top producers.
The United States is the top exporter of agricultural products with $118.3 billion in exports as of 2019.
To increase agricultural productivity, developed countries are turning to genetically modified seeds to increase yields.
On the other hand, in countries where infrastructure is extremely under-developed, the focus of the government is to develop the infrastructure and encourage the use of fertilizers.

Top Producers

There are numerous ways of assessing agricultural output, including sheer tonnage and the dollar volume of the commodities produced. It's important to look at both, as it is often the case that commodities critical to the food supply of less-developed countries don't show up as high dollar-value crops.

Of the major cereal and vegetable crops, the United States, China, India, and Russia frequently appear as top producers. It probably won't surprise readers that China is the leading worldwide producer of rice, but it's also the leading producer of wheat and the number two producer of corn, as well as the largest producer of many vegetables including onions and cabbage. In terms of total production, the United States is fourth in wheat and first in corn, and second in soybeans.

There are other important crops, however. Millet is a major crop in much of Africa and Asia, and India and Nigeria are the leading producers. Likewise, barley, rye, and beans/pulses are not that important within the United Statesbut are crucial crops in countries like Russia, Germany, and India.

Top Exporters

It should not be too surprising that countries like China and India feature prominently on the lists of top agricultural producers; these countries have large populations and internal food security (that is, producing enough to feed a nation's population from internal resources) is a major priority. A great deal of this production is used internally, though, and the list of the top exporting countries looks much different.

Country	Exports (in billions)
United States	$118.3
Netherlands	$79
Germany	$70.8
France	$68
Brazil	$55.4

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Here, again, it is important to note the difference between volume production and high-value production. The Netherlands is a tiny country; its presence on the list is due to the high value of flowers and live plants (the Netherlands supplies nearly half of the global total) and vegetables (the Netherlands is a leading supplier of tomatoes and chilies).

When it comes to the staples that feed the world (rice, corn, wheat, beans, lentils, and animal proteins), countries like the United States, Germany, Canada, Brazil, and Thailand feature more prominently.

Commodity	Leading country	% of Global Exports
Corn	United States	26% ($7.6 billion)
Fish	China	9.2% ($6.6 billion)
Palm Oil	Indonesia	51% ($10.4 billion)
Rice	Thailand	34.5% ($6 billion)
Soybeans	United States	50.5% ($16.5 billion)
Wheat	United States	18% ($5.4 billion)

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

How Will the World Make More?

Almost every country wants to increase its agricultural productivity, but how they intend to go about that varies greatly with the country or region in question.

In countries like the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe, there is very little land allowed to go to waste, and infrastructure like roads are well-developed. Likewise, irrigation is widespread, and farmers use fertilizer extensively. This has led many countries and farmers to turn to genetically modified seeds to increase yields and reduce the need for costly (and potentially polluting) fertilizer and herbicides.

The picture is much different in Africa and much of South Asia. In these areas, infrastructure is extremely under-developed and simply getting crops to market (or inputs like fertilizer to the farms) can be a struggle. Likewise, irrigation infrastructure is lacking, leaving farmers much more exposed to the variability of weather. Not surprisingly, then, a large focus of governments in these countries is to try to build roads, improve access to water and encourage the use of inputs, like fertilizer.

The Bottom Line

Although agriculture is no longer a major employer in North America or Europe, and food security is not a preeminent problem for most citizens, it is still a globally vital industry. As investors saw a few years ago, bad weather and low inventories quickly led the prices of many food commodities to soar and led to riots and political disturbances in many countries. On a more positive note, it's a major source of export earnings for countries across the development spectrum.

Given the importance of agriculture and the importance of increasing yields, companies that facilitate higher production should find their products in increasing demand. Whether it's agricultural equipment like tractors, inputs like fertilizer and herbicide, or higher-yielding modified seeds, companies serving the global agriculture market have a large and still under-served market to address.

Top Producers:

The article rightly emphasizes that the United States, China, India, and Russia consistently emerge as top producers of major cereal and vegetable crops. China's dominance in rice production and its substantial output in wheat and corn showcase its pivotal role in global agriculture. Similarly, the United States stands out as a major producer of corn and soybeans. The mention of less spotlighted crops like millet, barley, rye, and beans/pulses underscores the diverse agricultural landscapes in different countries.

Top Exporters:

Highlighting the distinction between volume production and high-value production, the article provides a list of top agricultural exporters. The United States leads the pack with $118.3 billion in exports, showcasing its significant contribution to global food trade. The Netherlands, despite its small size, features prominently due to the high value of flowers, live plants, and vegetables. The breakdown of leading countries in specific commodities, such as corn, fish, palm oil, rice, soybeans, and wheat, further illustrates the varied global agricultural trade landscape.

Increasing Agricultural Productivity Strategies:

Understanding that each country adopts distinct strategies to boost agricultural productivity, the article contrasts approaches in developed regions like the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe with those in less-developed areas like Africa and South Asia. Developed countries leverage advanced infrastructure, irrigation, and genetically modified seeds to enhance yields. In contrast, less-developed regions focus on building infrastructure, improving access to water, and promoting the use of fertilizers to address their unique challenges.

The Global Significance of Agriculture:

The article aptly concludes by emphasizing the global vitality of the agricultural industry. Despite the shift away from agriculture as a major employer in North America and Europe, its crucial role in global food security and as a source of export earnings is highlighted. The reference to past instances where adverse weather and low inventories triggered food price crises and political disturbances underscores the interconnectedness of agriculture with global stability.

In substantiating these insights, the article draws from reputable sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Foreign Agricultural Service, and The World Bank. These primary sources contribute to the credibility of the information presented, aligning with rigorous standards for accurate and unbiased content.

In conclusion, the complex tapestry of global agriculture requires a nuanced understanding of production dynamics, trade intricacies, and diverse strategies employed by nations to address the challenges and opportunities within this vital industry.