10 Countries with Highest Agricultural Exports in 2024

Agricultural exports are an important source of income and food security for many countries around the world. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the global value of agricultural exports reached $1.8 trillion in 2020, accounting for 9.4% of the total merchandise exports. In this article, we will look at the top 10 countries with the highest agricultural exports in 2020, based on the data from Statista and FAOSTAT.

1. United States

The United States was the leading exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $147.9 billion. The main products exported by the US were soybeans, corn, wheat, cotton, beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, fruits and nuts. The US also has a large domestic market for agricultural products, consuming about 83% of its own production. The main destinations for US agricultural exports were China, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union.

2. Netherlands

The Netherlands was the second-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $103.4 billion. The Netherlands is a small country with a high population density and limited land area, but it has a highly efficient and innovative agricultural sector that produces a wide range of products such as flowers, vegetables, fruits, cheese, meat, eggs and dairy products. The Netherlands is also a major transit hub for agricultural trade in Europe and beyond. The main destinations for Dutch agricultural exports were Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and Italy.

3. Brazil

Brazil was the third-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $85 billion. Brazil is a major producer and exporter of tropical and subtropical crops such as coffee, sugar cane, soybeans, oranges, bananas and cocoa. It also exports significant amounts of beef, poultry, pork, corn and cotton. Brazil has a large domestic market for agricultural products as well, consuming about 76% of its own production. The main destinations for Brazilian agricultural exports were China, the European Union, the United States, Japan and India.

4. China

China was the fourth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $79.5 billion. China is the world’s most populous country and has a huge demand for food and agricultural products. It is also a major producer and exporter of rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits, tea, pork, poultry and fish. China imports more agricultural products than it exports, mainly soybeans, corn, meat and dairy products. The main destinations for Chinese agricultural exports were Japan, Hong Kong SAR China, Vietnam, the United States and South Korea.

5. Germany

Germany was the fifth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $67 billion. Germany is a highly industrialized country with a strong agricultural sector that produces and exports mainly cereals, potatoes, sugar beets, rapeseed, milk, cheese, meat, beer and wine. Germany also imports a lot of agricultural products, especially fruits, vegetables, coffee, cocoa and fish. The main destinations for German agricultural exports were France, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and China.

6. France

France was the sixth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $66 billion. France is one of the most diverse and productive agricultural countries in Europe, producing and exporting mainly wheat, barley, maize, wine, cheese, milk, meat, fruits and vegetables. France also imports some agricultural products, mainly tropical fruits, coffee, cocoa and fish. The main destinations for French agricultural exports were Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

7. Canada

Canada was the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $56 billion. Canada is a vast country with abundant natural resources and a highly developed agricultural sector that produces and exports mainly wheat, canola, pulses, barley, oats, flaxseed, maple syrup, meat, dairy products and fish. Canada also imports some agricultural products, mainly fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea and spices. The main destinations for Canadian agricultural exports were the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and the European Union.

8. Spain

Spain was the eighth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $55 billion. Spain is a Mediterranean country with a warm climate and fertile soils that produce and export mainly olive oil, wine, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, strawberries, pork, poultry and fish. Spain also imports some agricultural products, mainly cereals, soybeans, oilseeds, meat and dairy products. The main destinations for Spanish agricultural exports were France, Germany, Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom.

9. Indonesia

Indonesia was the ninth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $45 billion. Indonesia is a tropical country with a large and diverse population and a rich biodiversity that produce, and export mainly palm oil, rubber, coffee, cocoa, tea, spices, coconut, bananas, pineapples, cassava, rice, poultry and fish. Indonesia also imports some agricultural products, mainly wheat, soybeans, corn, sugar and milk. The main destinations for Indonesian agricultural exports were China, India, Malaysia, the United States and Japan.

10. Italy

Italy was the tenth-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2020, with a value of $44 billion. Italy is a peninsula country with a long history and culture of agriculture that produce and export mainly wine, cheese, olive oil, pasta, tomatoes, grapes, oranges, lemons, apples, pears, peaches, kiwis, meat and fish. Italy also imports some agricultural products, mainly cereals, soybeans, oilseeds, coffee, cocoa and fish. The main destinations for Italian agricultural exports were Germany, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Trends in Agricultural Exports by Country

Agricultural exports are an important source of income and food security for many countries around the world. They also contribute to global trade and economic growth. In this blog post, we will look at some of the latest statistics and trends in agricultural exports by country, based on data from various sources.

Top Agricultural Exporters in 2020

According to Statista, the leading country worldwide by value of agricultural products exported in 2020 was the United States of America, with exports worth 147.9 billion U.S. dollars. The next largest exporter was the Netherlands, which is a major European shipping hub for agricultural products. The Netherlands exported agricultural products worth 85 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. Brazil, China, and Germany were also among the top five exporters of agricultural products, with exports worth 85, 79.5, and 67 billion U.S. dollars respectively.

Palm Oil Production and Trade

One of the most widely traded agricultural commodities in the world is palm oil, which is used for cooking, cosmetics, biofuels, and other purposes. Palm oil is mainly produced in tropical countries, especially in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is the largest producer and exporter of palm oil, producing about 46 million metric tons of palm oil and exporting oil worth 17 billion U.S. dollars every financial year. Malaysia is the second largest producer and exporter of palm oil, followed by Thailand, Colombia, and Nigeria.

Climate Change and Agricultural Exports

Climate change poses a significant challenge for agricultural production and trade, as it affects crop yields, water availability, pest and disease outbreaks, and food quality. According to FAO, climate change could reduce global agricultural production by up to 30% by 2050, with the most severe impacts in developing countries. To cope with climate change, countries need to adopt more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices, such as improving irrigation efficiency, diversifying crops, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing adaptation capacity.

References:

http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO/visualize

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Share-of-the-major-countries-in-sturgeon-production-A-Share-of-the-major-countries-in_fig2_348296880

FAOSTAT – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332329/leading-countries-worldwide-by-value-of-agricultural-products-exported/

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TM

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/agricultural-exports-by-country