Top Taro Producing Countries

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a starchy root crop with a long history of cultivation, believed to have originated in Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent over 5,000 years ago. From its early domestication, taro spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions, becoming a staple in Oceania, South Asia, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Today, the top taro-producing countries are Nigeria, China, Cameroon, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea. Nigeria leads global production, reflecting taro’s importance in West African diets and agriculture. In Asia, China is a major producer, especially in southern provinces, while Papua New Guinea and other Pacific islands maintain traditional cultivation methods that have persisted for millennia. The crop’s adaptability to wet conditions and its nutritional value have ensured its continued significance in diverse farming systems around the world.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat