Dry Broad Bean and Horse Bean, collectively known as faba bean (Vicia faba), have a rich agricultural history dating back to the Neolithic era in the Mediterranean and Near East. These legumes were among the earliest domesticated crops, cultivated in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and spread throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Today, the top producers of Dry Broad Bean and Horse Bean are China, which dominates global production, followed by countries such as Ethiopia, Egypt, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Their cultivation has long been valued for their adaptability to diverse climates, high protein content, and ability to fix nitrogen in soils, making them important both as food and as a rotational crop in sustainable agriculture. The faba bean’s journey from ancient staple to modern agricultural commodity highlights its enduring significance in global food security and farming systems.
Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | China | 1,690,620 |
2 | Ethiopia | 1,089,489 |
3 | United Kingdom | 694,235 |
4 | Australia | 509,750 |
5 | Germany | 235,900 |
6 | France | 184,200 |
7 | Sudan | 176,692 |
8 | Lithuania | 136,430 |
9 | Morocco | 131,208 |
10 | Italy | 118,560 |
11 | Egypt | 105,052 |
12 | Poland | 97,370 |
13 | Peru | 82,392 |
14 | Denmark | 80,950 |
15 | Tunisia | 76,000 |
16 | Latvia | 60,600 |
17 | Ireland | 48,580 |
18 | Sweden | 48,230 |
19 | Algeria | 39,629 |
20 | Mexico | 37,578 |
21 | Guatemala | 27,260 |
22 | Spain | 24,440 |
23 | Syria | 24,181 |
24 | Estonia | 19,970 |
25 | Iran | 18,834 |
26 | Argentina | 17,028 |
27 | Uzbekistan | 16,423 |
28 | Austria | 15,550 |
29 | Paraguay | 15,024 |
30 | Greece | 14,130 |
31 | Bolivia | 13,061 |
32 | Finland | 12,040 |
33 | Romania | 12,030 |
34 | Dominican Republic | 11,725 |
35 | Brazil | 9,554 |
36 | Iraq | 9,055 |
37 | Russia | 7,466 |
38 | Turkey | 7,049 |
39 | Ukraine | 7,030 |
40 | Yemen | 5,597 |
41 | Nepal | 5,592 |
42 | Belgium | 4,940 |
43 | Colombia | 4,523 |
44 | Ecuador | 3,310 |
45 | Portugal | 3,270 |
46 | Czechia | 2,350 |
47 | Switzerland | 1,542 |
48 | Sierra Leone | 1,341 |
49 | Croatia | 1,060 |
Data from United Nations FAO Stat