Yams Area Harvested by Country

Nigeria dominates global yam cultivation, harvesting 7.54 million hectares—far exceeding other countries. Ivory Coast and Ghana follow, but with significantly smaller cultivated areas. This analysis highlights the top and bottom yam-producing nations, regional trends, and key insights into global yam farming.

Top 10 Countries with the Largest Yam Harvested Area

Nigeria leads with 7,548,275 hectares
Ivory Coast follows with 1,499,028 hectares
Ghana ranks third with 565,597 hectares
Benin cultivates 307,861 hectares
Togo records 108,638 hectares
Sudan produces on 82,889 hectares
Cameroon dedicates 72,347 hectares
Central African Republic harvests 57,458 hectares
Chad cultivates 48,953 hectares
Guinea rounds out the top ten with 48,087 hectares

Bottom 10 Countries with the Smallest Yam Harvested Area

Trinidad and Tobago has the smallest harvested area with just 4 hectares
Saint Kitts and Nevis follows with 5 hectares
French Polynesia records 7 hectares
Grenada cultivates 10 hectares
Belize produces yams on 13 hectares
Bhutan records 17 hectares
Saint Lucia harvests 22 hectares
Guyana cultivates 23 hectares
Burundi records 29 hectares
Barbados rounds out the bottom ten with 38 hectares

Which Country Has the Largest Yam Harvested Area?

Nigeria leads global yam cultivation, dedicating 7.54 million hectares to yam farming. This is nearly five times the combined land area of Ivory Coast and Ghana, highlighting its dominance in yam production.

Why Does Nigeria Have the Most Yam Farmland?

Nigeria’s large-scale yam farming is driven by fertile soil, a favorable climate, and high domestic demand. Yams are a staple food in Nigeria, leading to widespread cultivation for both consumption and export.

What Are the Global Trends in Yam Cultivation?

Yam farming is heavily concentrated in West Africa, with Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana leading in harvested area. Other regions, including South America and Asia, have much smaller cultivated areas due to differences in climate and dietary preferences.

How Do Large and Small Yam Producers Compare?

Nigeria’s yam farmland is nearly 1.9 million times larger than Trinidad and Tobago’s, which has only 4 hectares dedicated to yam farming. This stark contrast highlights the scale of yam cultivation in major-producing countries compared to minor producers.