Top Cow Pea Producing Countries

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a drought-tolerant legume, is predominantly farmed in West Africa, with Nigeria being the world’s leading producer, followed by Niger and Burkina Faso. The crop’s origins trace back to sub-Saharan Africa, where it was domesticated over 5,000 years ago, spreading across the continent and later to India, Southeast Asia, and the Americas through trade and colonial routes. Cowpea’s adaptability to poor soils and arid climates made it a staple in African diets and farming systems, often intercropped with cereals to enhance soil fertility. Today, while West Africa remains the heartland of cowpea cultivation, significant production also occurs in Brazil, Myanmar, and the United States, reflecting the crop’s global importance for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat