7 Countries That Dominate the World’s Agricultural Exports

Agricultural exports are an important source of income and food security for many countries around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the value of agricultural exports reached $1.8 trillion in 2020, accounting for 9.4% of the total merchandise exports.

Some countries have a comparative advantage in producing and exporting certain agricultural products, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and spices. These countries benefit from favorable climatic conditions, abundant natural resources, advanced technologies, efficient logistics, and strong trade policies.

In this article, we will look at the top seven countries that dominate the world’s agricultural exports, based on the latest data from FAO and Statista. We will also examine the main products they export and the major markets they serve.

1. United States

The United States is the largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 8.2% in 2020. The country exported $147.9 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the European Union.

The United States is the top producer and exporter of corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, cotton, beef, poultry, dairy products, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. The country has a highly diversified and mechanized agricultural sector that benefits from large-scale farms, high yields, innovation, and subsidies.

2. Netherlands

The Netherlands is the second-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 6.8% in 2020. The country exported $113 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

The Netherlands is a small but densely populated country that has developed a highly efficient and sustainable agricultural sector. The country is famous for its greenhouse horticulture, which produces large quantities of flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other crops. The country is also a major exporter of cheese, pork, eggs, potatoes, onions, and mushrooms.

3. Brazil

Brazil is the third-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 4.7% in 2020. The country exported $85 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to China, the European Union, the United States, Japan, and India.

Brazil is a tropical country that has a vast and diverse land area suitable for growing various crops and raising livestock. The country is the top producer and exporter of sugar cane, coffee, orange juice, soybeans, beef, and poultry. The country also exports corn, tobacco, cotton, fruits, and ethanol.

4. China

China is the fourth-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 4.4% in 2020. The country exported $79.5 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to Japan, the United States, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and South Korea.

China is the largest agricultural producer in the world, producing more than 20% of the global output of crops and livestock. The country is the top producer and exporter of rice, tea, vegetables, fruits, pork, eggs, and aquaculture products. The country also exports wheat, cotton, oilseeds, silk, and honey.

5. Germany

Germany is the fifth-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 3.7% in 2020. The country exported $67 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to France, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Poland.

Germany is a leading European country that has a modern and competitive agricultural sector. The country is a major exporter of dairy products, pork, beer, wine, bread, chocolate, and confectionery. The country also exports cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, rapeseed, and flowers.

6. France

France is the sixth-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 3.5% in 2020. The country exported $62 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

France is a traditional agricultural powerhouse that has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The country is renowned for its quality and variety of cheese, wine, champagne, butter, and pastries. The country also exports wheat, barley, corn, sugar beet, sunflower, beef, poultry, and fruits.

7. Canada

Canada is the seventh-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with a market share of 3% in 2020. The country exported $53 billion worth of agricultural products, mainly to the United States, China, Japan, Mexico, and the European Union.

Canada is a vast and cold country that has a strong and resilient agricultural sector. The country is the top producer and exporter of canola, flaxseed, lentils, peas, and oats. The country also exports wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, pork, beef, dairy products, and maple syrup.

World’s Largest Agricultural Exporters

The United States: A Leader in Soybeans and Corn

The United States is the top exporter of agricultural products in the world, with a value of $147.9 billion in 2020. The country is the largest producer and exporter of soybeans, accounting for about 35% of global production and 40% of global exports. The United States is also the leading producer of corn, with an output of 360.3 million metric tons in 2020. Corn is mainly used for animal feed, ethanol production, and human consumption. The main markets for U.S. agricultural exports are China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the European Union.

The Netherlands: A Hub for Horticulture and Dairy Products

The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, with a value of $101.5 billion in 2020. The country is a major European shipping hub, which facilitates its trade with other countries. The Netherlands is known for its horticulture sector, which produces flowers, bulbs, plants, fruits, and vegetables. The country is also a leading exporter of dairy products, such as cheese, butter, and milk powder. The main destinations for Dutch agricultural exports are Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Brazil: A Powerhouse of Sugar, Coffee, and Meat

Brazil is the third-largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, with a value of $85 billion in 2020. The country is the largest producer and exporter of sugar and coffee, which together account for about 15% of its agricultural exports. Brazil is also a major exporter of meat, especially beef and poultry. The country has a large cattle herd and a favorable climate for pasture production. Brazil also exports soybeans, corn, fruits, and nuts to various markets. The main buyers of Brazilian agricultural products are China, the European Union, the United States, and Japan.

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/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332329/leading-countries-worldwide-by-value-of-agricultural-products-exported/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/agricultural-exports-by-country
https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0712/top-agricultural-producing-countries.aspx
https://humboldt.global/top-agricultural-exporters/

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

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

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