Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), also known as "lady's finger," is widely cultivated in warm and tropical regions around the world, with India being by far the largest producer, accounting for over 60% of global production. Other leading countries include Nigeria, Sudan, Iraq, Côte d'Ivoire, and Pakistan. Okra's domestication is believed to have originated in the Abyssinian center, encompassing present-day Ethiopia and Sudan, before spreading through North Africa and the Middle East, eventually reaching India and the Americas via the transatlantic slave trade. Its cultivation expanded rapidly due to its adaptability to hot climates and its value as both a food and a thickening agent in soups and stews. Today, okra remains a staple in South Asian, West African, Middle Eastern, and Southern U.S. cuisines, reflecting its long journey through history and across continents.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6,466,000 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1,917,407 |
| 3 | Mali | 669,688 |
| 4 | Sudan | 322,403 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 263,448 |
| 6 | Cote d Ivoire | 193,194 |
| 7 | Niger | 132,139 |
| 8 | Iraq | 93,396 |
| 9 | Cameroon | 84,030 |
| 10 | Egypt | 82,355 |
| 11 | Bangladesh | 70,000 |
| 12 | Ghana | 68,585 |
| 13 | Malaysia | 63,097 |
| 14 | Benin | 62,214 |
| 15 | Mexico | 38,757 |
| 16 | Turkey | 32,423 |
| 17 | Philippines | 32,422 |
| 18 | Saudi Arabia | 25,327 |
| 19 | Burkina Faso | 23,022 |
| 20 | Senegal | 21,250 |
| 21 | Syria | 19,837 |
| 22 | Oman | 19,616 |
| 23 | Yemen | 19,460 |
| 24 | Kenya | 18,664 |
| 25 | Guyana | 16,720 |
| 26 | United States of America | 10,417 |
| 27 | Albania | 9,146 |
| 28 | Jamaica | 6,924 |
| 29 | Jordan | 6,917 |
| 30 | Guatemala | 6,379 |
| 31 | Fiji | 6,014 |
| 32 | Kuwait | 5,858 |
| 33 | Palestine | 3,297 |
| 34 | Malawi | 3,047 |
| 35 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1,582 |
| 36 | Congo | 1,580 |
| 37 | Mauritius | 1,272 |
| 38 | United Arab Emirates | 1,253 |
Data from United Nations FAO Stat