Amidst a landscape of record yields and monumental trade figures, the global plant industry stands as the quiet titan of our economy, feeding billions and fueling nations.
Key Takeaways
- Global wheat production in 2022 totaled 803.8 million metric tons, up 0.8% from 2021 due to favorable weather in key regions like the Black Sea area.
- Corn production worldwide reached 1,163 million metric tons in 2022, with the United States contributing 384.8 million metric tons representing 33% of global output.
- Rice paddy production hit 514.6 million metric tons globally in 2022, led by China and India which together accounted for 67% of the total.
- The US corn yield averaged 177.3 bushels per acre in 2022, a record high surpassing 2021's 176.7.
- Global wheat average yield in 2022 was 3.7 tons per hectare, up from 3.6 in 2021 due to better inputs.
- Rice paddy yield worldwide averaged 4.0 tons per hectare in 2022, with Australia at 10.5 tons/ha highest.
- Global plant-based food market valued at $221 billion in 2022, projected to grow 11.9% CAGR to 2030.
- US agricultural production value added $176.9 billion in 2021, crops 58% at $102.7 billion.
- World crop production contributed $1.2 trillion to GDP in 2022, 2.5% of global economy.
- Global wheat trade volume 203.5 million metric tons in 2022/23, valued at $55 billion.
- Soybean exports worldwide 177 million metric tons in 2022, Brazil 52% share $60 billion.
- Corn international trade hit 195 million metric tons in 2022/23, US 50% exporter.
- Agriculture employs 27% of global workforce or 1.1 billion people in 2022, mostly crops.
- US farm labor force 2.6 million in 2022, 1.3 million crop workers.
- India agricultural employment 263 million in 2022, 45% of total labor.
Global crop yields rose in 2022 as production of major staples like wheat and corn set new records worldwide.
Crop Production
- Global wheat production in 2022 totaled 803.8 million metric tons, up 0.8% from 2021 due to favorable weather in key regions like the Black Sea area.
- Corn production worldwide reached 1,163 million metric tons in 2022, with the United States contributing 384.8 million metric tons representing 33% of global output.
- Rice paddy production hit 514.6 million metric tons globally in 2022, led by China and India which together accounted for 67% of the total.
- Soybean output grew to 391.5 million metric tons in 2022, with Brazil as the top producer at 155 million metric tons.
- In 2021, global potato production was 376.8 million metric tons, with China producing 22.7% of the world's supply.
- Sugarcane production worldwide in 2022 amounted to 1,806 million metric tons, dominated by Brazil at 672 million metric tons.
- Global tomato production in 2021 reached 186.2 million metric tons, with India leading at 21.4 million metric tons.
- Cassava production totaled 308.5 million metric tons in 2022, primarily from Nigeria and Thailand contributing over 40% combined.
- Global oil palm fruit production was 162 million metric tons in 2021, with Indonesia accounting for 58% of the total.
- In 2022, world barley production stood at 149.7 million metric tons, recovering 3.5% from drought-affected 2021 levels.
- Sorghum global output in 2022 was 60.8 million metric tons, led by the United States and Sudan.
- Global rapeseed production reached 82.1 million metric tons in 2022, with Canada producing 19% of the total.
- In 2021, sunflower seed production was 57.1 million metric tons worldwide, Ukraine contributing 25%.
- Global cotton production in 2022/23 season estimated at 112.4 million 480-lb bales, up 10% from prior year.
- Banana production hit 121.5 million metric tons in 2021, Ecuador and the Philippines as top exporters.
- Apple global production in 2021 was 93.5 million metric tons, China producing 46 million metric tons or 49%.
- Orange output worldwide reached 75.5 million metric tons in 2021, Brazil leading with 16.5 million metric tons.
- Global grape production totaled 78.2 million metric tons in 2021, Italy and China top producers.
- In 2022, world coffee production was 167.9 million 60-kg bags, Brazil at 66.3 million bags.
- Tea production globally in 2021 amounted to 6.2 million metric tons, China dominating with 2.9 million metric tons.
- Cocoa beans output in 2021/22 was 5.1 million metric tons, Ivory Coast producing 42%.
- Global rubber production reached 14.5 million metric tons in 2021, Thailand leading.
- In 2022, world tobacco leaf production was 6.5 million metric tons, China at 2.2 million metric tons.
- Sugar beet production globally in 2022 totaled 266.5 million metric tons, Russia and Ukraine key.
- Global groundnut production in 2022 was 44.6 million metric tons, China and India over 60%.
- In 2021, world sesame seed output reached 6.2 million metric tons, Sudan top producer.
- Global oats production in 2022 was 25.9 million metric tons, Russia leading at 5.8 million.
- Millet production worldwide in 2022 totaled 29.5 million metric tons, India at 11.4 million metric tons.
- In 2022, global rye production was 13.1 million metric tons, mainly from Europe.
- Triticale output reached 14.3 million metric tons in 2022, Poland as largest producer.
Crop Production Interpretation
Despite being the foundation of civilization, our global pantry reveals a precarious feast where just a handful of nations and favorable weather are keeping billions fed from an increasingly concentrated menu.
Crop Yields
- The US corn yield averaged 177.3 bushels per acre in 2022, a record high surpassing 2021's 176.7.
- Global wheat average yield in 2022 was 3.7 tons per hectare, up from 3.6 in 2021 due to better inputs.
- Rice paddy yield worldwide averaged 4.0 tons per hectare in 2022, with Australia at 10.5 tons/ha highest.
- Brazilian soybean yields reached 3.4 tons per hectare in 2022/23, boosted by biotech varieties.
- In 2021, global potato yield averaged 20.4 tons per hectare, Netherlands leading at 47.8 tons/ha.
- India sugarcane yield was 80.6 tons per hectare in 2021/22, lower than Brazil's 74.4 but higher volume.
- Tomato yields globally averaged 38.5 tons per hectare in 2021, greenhouse tech pushing highs.
- Cassava yield worldwide was 12.3 tons per hectare in 2022, Thailand at 22.7 tons/ha top.
- Indonesian palm oil yield averaged 3.8 tons per hectare in 2021, varying by smallholder vs estate.
- Barley global average yield in 2022 was 3.2 tons per hectare, EU at 4.5 tons/ha.
- US sorghum yield hit 64.4 bushels per acre in 2022, up 5% from prior year.
- Rapeseed yield in Canada averaged 1.8 tons per hectare in 2022, impacted by heat.
- Ukraine sunflower yield was 2.1 tons per hectare in 2021 before conflict.
- Global cotton yield averaged 0.8 tons per hectare in 2022/23, Australia highest at 2.3.
- Ecuador banana yield reached 35 tons per hectare in 2021, among world's best.
- China apple yield averaged 24.5 tons per hectare in 2021, intensive orchards key.
- Brazilian orange yield was 24.5 tons per hectare in 2021, down due to greening disease.
- Italy grape yield averaged 9.5 tons per hectare in 2021, wine regions optimized.
- Brazil coffee yield hit 30.5 bags per hectare in 2022, robusta higher than arabica.
- China tea yield averaged 1,500 kg per hectare in 2021, mechanization aiding.
- Ivory Coast cocoa yield was 0.5 tons per hectare in 2021/22, low due to aging trees.
- Thailand rubber yield reached 1.8 tons per hectare in 2021, tapping efficiency up.
- China tobacco yield averaged 2.1 tons per hectare in 2022, flue-cured varieties.
- Russia sugar beet yield was 35.6 tons per hectare in 2022, irrigation boosted.
- India groundnut yield averaged 1.6 tons per hectare in 2022, rainfed constraints.
- Sudan sesame yield hit 0.3 tons per hectare in 2021, mechanized farming emerging.
- Russia oat yield averaged 2.2 tons per hectare in 2022, favorable conditions.
- India millet yield was 1.2 tons per hectare in 2022, drought-resistant hybrids.
- Poland rye yield reached 3.8 tons per hectare in 2022, soil suited.
Crop Yields Interpretation
Despite relentless challenges from pests to politics, the global agricultural story of 2021-2022 is one of quiet, ingenious resilience, where record-breaking yields from American corn to Dutch potatoes whisper a compelling truth: when science, technology, and sheer human determination are cultivated together, even an acre of Earth can be persuaded to be astonishingly generous.
Economic Value
- Global plant-based food market valued at $221 billion in 2022, projected to grow 11.9% CAGR to 2030.
- US agricultural production value added $176.9 billion in 2021, crops 58% at $102.7 billion.
- World crop production contributed $1.2 trillion to GDP in 2022, 2.5% of global economy.
- Brazil agribusiness GDP share was 27% or $600 billion in 2022, crops major driver.
- India crop sector value at INR 10.7 trillion ($130 billion) in FY2022, rice/wheat key.
- EU crop output value €170 billion in 2022, cereals €50 billion.
- China's crop production value exceeded ¥5 trillion ($700 billion) in 2022.
- Global seed market size $50.8 billion in 2022, GM crops 25% share.
- Fertilizer industry revenue $200 billion globally in 2022, crop nutrition critical.
- Pesticide market valued $84.5 billion in 2022, protecting $2.5 trillion crop value.
- Irrigation equipment market $12.6 billion in 2022, boosting yields 50% on average.
- Global organic food market $272 billion in 2023, crops 70% share.
- Precision agriculture market $7.3 billion in 2022, optimizing crop inputs.
- Crop insurance premiums $40 billion globally in 2022, stabilizing farm incomes.
- Food processing from crops added $3.5 trillion value worldwide in 2022.
- US crop exports contributed $50 billion farm cash receipts in 2022.
- Global biofuel from crops market $140 billion in 2022, corn/soy dominant.
- Fiber crops like cotton generated $50 billion trade value in 2022.
- Horticulture crops value $1 trillion globally in 2022, fruits/veggies key.
- Spices and condiments from plants $20 billion market in 2022.
- Beverage crops (coffee/tea) economic value $250 billion in 2022 chain.
Economic Value Interpretation
While the future may be plant-based, the present economy is firmly rooted in crops, as these figures reveal an industry that not only feeds the world but fundamentally fuels it, generating trillions in value from seed to spice.
Employment
- Agriculture employs 27% of global workforce or 1.1 billion people in 2022, mostly crops.
- US farm labor force 2.6 million in 2022, 1.3 million crop workers.
- India agricultural employment 263 million in 2022, 45% of total labor.
- China crop sector employs 200 million rural workers in 2022.
- Brazil agribusiness jobs 19 million in 2022, crops 60% share.
- EU agriculture employment 9.1 million in 2022, horticulture intensive.
- Sub-Saharan Africa farm labor 60% of workforce or 200 million in 2022.
- Global seasonal crop workers estimated 450 million in 2022.
- US hired crop farmworkers wages averaged $15.50/hour in 2022, up 6%.
- Women comprise 43% of agricultural labor in developing countries in 2022.
- Youth under 25 in global farm jobs dropped to 20% in 2022 from 40% in 1980.
- Precision ag tech displaced 5% crop jobs but created 2 million new in 2022.
- India rural crop labor migration 50 million seasonal in 2022.
- Australia horticulture employs 70,000 seasonal workers via programs in 2022.
- Global organic farming labor intensity 20% higher, employing 3 million extra.
- Vietnam rice sector jobs 10 million in 2022, mechanization reducing 2%/year.
- Mexico crop export labor 4 million, US-bound fruits/veggies.
- Nigeria cassava processing employs 20 million mostly women in 2022.
- Thailand rubber tapping jobs 1.5 million smallholders in 2021.
- Global flower industry employs 10 million, Kenya 1 million cut flowers.
- US nursery/landscape jobs 700,000 in 2022, ornamentals focus.
- Indonesia palm oil plantations employ 4 million direct in 2022.
- France wine grape harvest labor 50,000 seasonal in 2022.
Employment Interpretation
From the vast rice paddies of Vietnam to the high-tech greenhouses of the EU, the global crop sector remains a mammoth employer whose face is rapidly changing, wrestling with migration, mechanization, and a silent generational shift, all while literally putting food on the table for 1.1 billion people and counting.
Sustainability
- Global crop production uses 11% of arable land but emits 24% of GHG in 2022.
- Agriculture water withdrawal 70% global total, crops 55% in 2022.
- Global cropland area 1.57 billion hectares in 2022, expanding 1%/decade.
- Nitrogen fertilizer overuse causes 50% of N2O emissions from crops, 6% global GHG.
- Cover crops adopted on 15 million US acres in 2022, reducing erosion 30%.
- Global organic cropland 75 million hectares in 2022, 1.5% total.
- Precision ag reduces input use 15-20% on 200 million hectares in 2022.
- Crop residue burning emits 3 GtCO2eq annually, Asia 70% share.
- Drip irrigation covers 20 million hectares globally, saving 40% water in 2022.
- Biodiversity loss on croplands 75% of original species, agroforestry mitigates.
- Soil degradation affects 33% cropland, costing $400 billion/year productivity.
- GM crops on 190 million hectares in 2022, reducing pesticide 37%.
- Crop yield gap 20-50% in low-input areas, closing saves 175M ha land.
- Methane from rice paddies 8% global total, alternate wetting-drying cuts 30%.
- Palm oil deforestation 3.5 million hectares since 2000, RSPO certified 20%.
- No-till farming on 180 million hectares globally, sequestering 0.4 tC/ha/year.
- Crop water productivity averages 0.7 kg/m3 globally, Israel 2.5 kg/m3.
- Pesticide pollution affects 25% cropland rivers, IPM reduces 50%.
- Regenerative ag on 100 million ha pilots, improving soil carbon 1-2%.
- Crop genetic erosion 25% varieties lost since 1900, seed banks preserve.
- Urban farming produces 10% veggies in cities, 15,000 ha rooftops.
- Biochar application sequesters 2 GtCO2/year potential from crop waste.
- Intercropping boosts yields 20% sustainably on 50 million ha.
- Crop rotation reduces disease 30%, practiced on 70% US cropland.
Sustainability Interpretation
Our agricultural system, using just over a tenth of the planet's arable land, manages to punch well above its weight in climate emissions, water consumption, and biodiversity loss, yet the very same ingenuity offers a toolkit—from cover crops to drip irrigation—to shrink that outsized footprint back down to size.
Trade Data
- Global wheat trade volume 203.5 million metric tons in 2022/23, valued at $55 billion.
- Soybean exports worldwide 177 million metric tons in 2022, Brazil 52% share $60 billion.
- Corn international trade hit 195 million metric tons in 2022/23, US 50% exporter.
- Palm oil trade volume 80 million metric tons in 2022, Indonesia 55% $45 billion.
- Rice exports totaled 53 million metric tons in 2022, India 40% at $10 billion.
- Cotton trade 20.5 million metric tons in 2022/23, US/Uzbekistan top.
- Sugar trade volume 55 million metric tons in 2022, Brazil dominant exporter.
- Coffee exports 125 million bags in 2022, Brazil 35% $35 billion value.
- Banana trade 22 million metric tons in 2021, Ecuador 30% share.
- Apple international trade 8.5 million metric tons in 2021, China importer.
- Orange juice trade equivalent 3.5 million tons in 2022, Brazil 80%.
- Soy oil exports 14 million metric tons in 2022, Argentina leader.
- Sunflower oil trade 20 million metric tons in 2022, Ukraine/Russia 80% pre-war.
- Cocoa trade 4.5 million tons in 2021/22, Netherlands hub.
- Rubber exports 12.5 million metric tons in 2021, Asia dominant.
- Tobacco leaf trade 1.8 million tons in 2022, China exporter.
- Groundnut exports 3.5 million tons in 2022, Argentina/India key.
- Sesame seed trade 1.2 million tons in 2021, India top.
- US agricultural exports reached $196 billion in 2022, crops $110 billion.
- EU crop imports $150 billion in 2022, soybeans/fruits major.
- Global seed trade value $15 billion in 2022, hybrid varieties 70%.
- Fertilizer trade $100 billion in 2022, Russia/Ukraine disruptions.
- Pesticide international trade $25 billion in 2022, China exporter.
Trade Data Interpretation
In a globe-spanning display of agricultural might and culinary dependence, these dizzying trade volumes and values reveal a world where entire nations are built on breakfasts (Brazilian coffee), wardrobes (American cotton), and deep-fried snacks (Indonesian palm oil), while geopolitics often simmers in the supermarket aisle.
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