Did you know that Brazil feeds around 10% of the world’s population and that it is a leader in the production of various types of food?
Find out which countries produce the most food in the world and where this production goes, here in this article.
Today, it would not be an exaggeration to say that practically every country in the world has crops to guarantee its food security, since even Singapore has invested in modern hydroponic crops to reduce its dependence on imports. Nevertheless, world demand for the most consumed foods is mainly supplied by a few dozen countries that concentrate on their territory a combination of favourable land and advanced cultivation and management techniques, as well as a high level of integration with global markets.
In this article we will talk about the countries that produce the most food from a general point of view, and we will also mention which are the biggest food exporters in the world, and it is important to note that not every great producer is a great exporter.
5 – Russia
It may be surprising to many, but the largest country in the world is also one of the largest agricultural producers on the entire planet.
What is the main highlight in Russia’s agricultural production?
About half of the country’s productive area is covered by grain crops, such as wheat, the country’s main crop, which is already the third largest producer worldwide, as well as rye, barley, oats and corn. With this, the country produces around 70% of the total of grains consumed nationally. Besides these, other important crops for the country are sugar beet for sugar production and potatoes.
In the field of exports, on the other hand, Russia had a 20% growth in agricultural exports in 2020, although it is also a major importer of food, mainly fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as meat and other animal products.
4th – India
The second most populous country in the world, with about 58% of its population working in the countryside, it is one of the largest food producers in the world, standing out in the production of some products.
What is the main highlight of India’s agriculture?
The country is the world’s largest producer of milk, the second largest producer of wheat and fruit, recording large production of bananas, guava, mango, lemon and papaya. Other relevant crops are chickpeas and spices such as ginger and pepper.
In addition, the country is the third largest world producer of fish and the fourth in egg production, besides being the fifth in poultry production. It also stands out for being one of the largest producers of rice, sugar, as well as being one of the largest exporters of beef on the planet.
3rd – Brazil
Brazil occupies a prominent position both in the production and export of food at world level.
What are the highlights in Brazil’s agricultural production?
In 2020, the country’s highlights were the cultivation of soy, corn, coffee and sugarcane, in addition to its production of beef. Currently the country is the world’s largest producer of sugar, coffee and oranges, in addition to being the largest exporter of corn and the largest producer of soybeans in the world, responsible for about 50% of the world market for this grain.
It is the largest exporter of beef in the world. In 2020 Brazil also became the largest exporter of chicken meat, although it is the second largest producer in the world. The country is also the third largest fruit producer, as well as supplying over 25% of all the coffee consumed on the planet. According to the Embrapa study, Brazil’s food production is responsible for feeding about 10% of the planet’s population, which is more than three times the Brazilian population.
2nd – United States
The United States, besides being one of the largest food producers in the world, is also the largest exporter of agricultural products on the planet. In terms of values, it is the country that exports the most and profits the most from this, as well as being the largest producer of grains on the planet when we consider all the varieties grown.
What is the biggest highlight in agricultural production in the USA?
They are the largest producer of corn, the second largest of soybeans and the fourth largest of wheat, as well as being prominent in the cultivation of sugarcane, potatoes, coffee, beets and bananas.
It is the largest producer of poultry meat and the second largest exporter, as well as being the largest exporter of pork in the world and one of the largest of beef. They are also major producers and exporters of nuts, oats, tomatoes and spices.
1st – China
The first position is a surprise to many, but China presents figures that undoubtedly justify such a position. This is because China leads in the production of various types of food, although it is also a major importer of these.
Why is China the world’s largest agricultural producer?
China is the largest producer of rice, wheat and potatoes in the world and also stands out in the production of corn, barley, oilseeds such as soybeans, pork, fish and apples. It has the largest pig herd in the world, one of the largest cattle herds, and is also the third largest producer of chicken meat and the fourth largest exporter.
It is also the biggest fruit producer on the planet and one of the biggest exporters. In recent decades the Chinese government has invested heavily in agriculture and livestock, seeking the country’s self-sufficiency in food.
