Top Yam Producing Countries

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a staple tuber crop primarily cultivated in West Africa, which accounts for over 90% of global production. Nigeria is by far the world’s leading yam producer, followed by Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo. Outside Africa, smaller quantities are grown in countries like Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and some Caribbean nations. The domestication of yam dates back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting its cultivation in West Africa as early as 5,000 BCE, making it one of the oldest domesticated crops in the region. Yams were independently domesticated in Asia and the Pacific as well, where species like Dioscorea alata (water yam) became important. Over time, yam farming spread through trade and migration, becoming integral to food security, culture, and rituals in many societies, especially in Africa, where yam festivals celebrate the harvest and mark the beginning of the new year in several communities.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat