Top Green Maize Producing Countries

Green maize, also known as fresh or sweet corn, is widely cultivated for its tender, immature cobs consumed as a vegetable. The top countries farming green maize today include the United States, China, Brazil, India, and Mexico. The United States leads in both production and export, with large-scale mechanized farms, while China and India have significant acreage devoted to both commercial and subsistence green maize cultivation. The history of green maize farming traces back to ancient Mesoamerica, where indigenous peoples such as the Maya and Aztecs domesticated and selectively bred teosinte, a wild grass, into modern maize over thousands of years. Maize spread throughout the Americas and, following the Columbian Exchange in the 16th century, rapidly reached Europe, Africa, and Asia, where it adapted to diverse climates and became a global staple. Over time, selective breeding led to varieties specifically suited for green consumption, fueling the popularity of green maize as a fresh vegetable in cuisines worldwide.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat