7 Top Food Exporting Countries in the World and Their Products

Food is one of the most traded commodities in the world, with a global export value of over $1.3 trillion in 2020. Food exports are important for many countries, as they provide income, employment, and food security. But which countries are the top food exporters in the world, and what are their main products? In this article, we will look at the top seven food exporting countries in the world, based on their net export value (exports minus imports) of food (excluding fish) in 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

1. Brazil: $64 billion

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of soybeans, accounting for 39 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Soybeans are mainly used for animal feed and oil production, but also for human consumption in products like tofu and soy milk. Brazil also exports other agricultural products, such as sugar, coffee, beef, poultry, and maize.

2. Spain: $25 billion

Spain is the world’s largest exporter of pig meat, accounting for 7 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Pig meat is a popular source of protein in many countries, especially in Europe and Asia. Spain also exports other food products, such as fruits and nuts, olive oil, wine, cheese, and vegetables.

3. Argentina: $21 billion

Argentina is the world’s largest exporter of maize, accounting for 25 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Maize is a versatile crop that can be used for human consumption, animal feed, biofuel, and industrial purposes. Argentina also exports other food products, such as soybeans, wheat, sunflower seeds, and beef.

4. United States: $19 billion

The United States is the world’s largest exporter of cereals, accounting for 16 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Cereals include wheat, corn, rice, barley, oats, and sorghum. They are used for human consumption, animal feed, biofuel, and industrial purposes. The United States also exports other food products, such as fruits and nuts, meat, dairy products, and oil seeds.

5. Netherlands: $18 billion

The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of dairy products, accounting for 9 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Dairy products include milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and ice cream. They are rich in calcium, protein, and other nutrients. The Netherlands also exports other food products, such as vegetables, flowers, meat, and eggs.

6. France: $17 billion

France is the world’s largest exporter of wine, accounting for 11 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. It is widely consumed for its taste, cultural significance, and health benefits. France also exports other food products, such as cheese, wheat, sugar beet, and poultry.

7. Germany: $16 billion

Germany is the world’s largest exporter of miscellaneous food preparations, accounting for 10 percent of its total food export value in 2020. Miscellaneous food preparations include chocolate and cocoa products,
baked goods, coffee and tea, sauces and condiments, and baby food. They are mainly processed foods that add variety and convenience to consumers’ diets. Germany also exports other food products, such as beer, meat, cheese, and sugar.

Top Food Exporting Countries and Their Global Demand

Food is one of the most essential commodities in the world, and the global food export industry is constantly evolving due to various factors such as population growth, climate change, trade policies, and consumer preferences. In this blog post, we will look at some of the top food exporting countries in the world and how their exports reflect the global demand for different food products.

Brazil: The Soybean Giant

Brazil is the largest net food exporter in the world, with a positive trade balance of USD 64 billion in 2020 . The country’s top export is soybeans, which accounted for 39 percent of its total food (excluding fish) export value in 2020 . Soybeans are mainly used for animal feed and vegetable oil production, and Brazil has been able to meet the growing demand from countries like China, which is the largest importer of soybeans in the world . Brazil has also increased its production of other crops such as maize, sugar, coffee, and oranges, making it a major player in the global food market.

Spain: The Pig Meat Powerhouse

Spain is the second-largest net food exporter in the world, with a positive trade balance of USD 25 billion in 2020 . The country’s top export is pig meat, which accounted for 7 percent of its total food (excluding fish) export value in 2020 . Spain has a strong pig industry that benefits from favorable climatic conditions, high-quality genetics, efficient production systems, and access to the European Union market . Spain also exports other animal products such as poultry, eggs, cheese, and honey, as well as fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, grapes, and olives.

Argentina: The Maize Master

Argentina is the third-largest net food exporter in the world, with a positive trade balance of USD 21 billion in 2020 . The country’s top export is maize, which accounted for 25 percent of its total food (excluding fish) export value in 2020 . Maize is a versatile crop that can be used for human consumption, animal feed, biofuel production, and industrial purposes. Argentina has a competitive advantage in maize production due to its fertile soils, favorable climate, advanced technology, and low production costs . Argentina also exports other cereals such as wheat and barley, as well as oilseeds such as soybeans and sunflower seeds.

The global food export industry is dynamic and diverse, reflecting the different needs and preferences of consumers around the world. The top food exporting countries have been able to capitalize on their natural resources, technological innovations, and market opportunities to supply a variety of food products to the global market. However, they also face challenges such as environmental sustainability, trade barriers, price volatility, and competition from other producers. Therefore, they need to constantly adapt and innovate to maintain their competitive edge and meet the changing global demand for food.

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

https://www.fao.org/3/cb9928en/cb9928en.pdf
https://www.worldstopexports.com/worlds-top-food-exports-special-data-report/
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRICA/Resources/257994-1215457178567/Soybean_Profile.pdf
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https://www.worldstopexports.com/worlds-top-food-exports-special-data-report/

https://www.fao.org/3/cb9928en/cb9928en.pdf