Top Lettuce and Chicory Producing Countries

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) are cool-season leafy vegetables with a long history of cultivation, originating in the Mediterranean region. Lettuce was first domesticated by the ancient Egyptians over 4,000 years ago, valued both as food and for its oil-rich seeds, and later spread to Greece and Rome, where it became a staple in diets. Chicory, native to Europe, was used by ancient Greeks and Romans for its medicinal properties and as a leafy vegetable, with its roots later roasted as a coffee substitute. Today, China is by far the world’s leading producer of lettuce and chicory, accounting for over half of global production, followed by the United States, which is renowned for its large-scale lettuce farming in California and Arizona. Other significant producers include Spain, Italy, and India, each contributing to the global supply, particularly within their regions. The widespread cultivation of lettuce and chicory reflects centuries of agricultural development, selective breeding, and adaptation to diverse climates, making these crops staples in modern diets worldwide.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat