Top Cassava Producing Countries

Cassava, a starchy root crop native to South America, has become a staple food in many tropical regions worldwide. Its cultivation spread from its origins in Brazil and Paraguay after the arrival of Europeans in the Americas during the 16th century, who introduced it to Africa and Asia via colonial trade routes. Today, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Brazil. In Africa, cassava is a vital food security crop, while in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Indonesia, it is cultivated both for food and for industrial uses such as starch and biofuel production. The adaptability of cassava to poor soils and drought conditions has contributed to its global spread and importance, making it a crucial crop for millions of smallholder farmers across the tropics.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat