FAO: Yam Production by Country
🍀 Yams are a primary starch source and a significant cultural symbol for millions of people, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global yam production has reached record levels, exceeding 88 million tonnes annually. While the crop is grown in various tropical regions, production is heavily concentrated in a specific geographic area known as the West African Yam Belt.
The dominance of West Africa
The West African region is responsible for nearly 95% of the world's total yam supply. The environmental conditions—specifically the fertile, well-drained soils and the bimodal rainfall patterns of the savanna and forest-savanna transition zones—make it the most productive region globally for the genus Dioscorea.
Nigeria: The Global Powerhouse
Nigeria stands as the undisputed leader in yam production. It accounts for approximately 67% to 70% of total global output. Recent figures show Nigerian production at over 61 million tonnes. In Nigeria, yams are more than just a food source; they are a central component of social status and traditional ceremonies, such as the New Yam Festival.
Ghana: The Top Exporter
Although Nigeria produces the highest volume, Ghana is often recognized as the leading exporter of yams. Producing about 10.7 million tonnes annually (roughly 12% of global production), Ghana has developed sophisticated value chains that allow its "Pona" and "Laribako" varieties to reach international markets in Europe and North America more consistently than those of its neighbors.
Leading Producers by Volume
The following table outlines the top yam-producing nations based on the most recent FAO data.
| Rank | Country | Production (Million Tonnes) |
| 1 | Nigeria | 61.1 |
| 2 | Ghana | 10.7 |
| 3 | Côte d'Ivoire | 7.6 |
| 4 | Benin | 3.2 |
| 5 | Togo | 0.9 |
| 6 | Cameroon | 0.5 |
| 7 | Central African Republic | 0.4 |
| 8 | Chad | 0.4 |
| 9 | Colombia | 0.4 |
| 10 | Papua New Guinea | 0.3 |
Production in Other Regions
Outside of the African continent, yam production is much smaller but remains vital for local food security and specialized markets:
The Caribbean and South America: Countries like Colombia, Haiti, and Jamaica are notable producers. In these regions, yams are a staple of the island diets and are frequently used in soups and stews.
The Pacific Islands: In Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, yams are a prestige crop. Large, "giant" yams are often grown specifically for community competitions and marriage dowries.
Asia: Japan and China produce specific varieties like the Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya), which is valued for its unique texture and purported medicinal properties.
Key Challenges in Global Production
Despite rising production numbers, the FAO identifies several persistent hurdles for the industry:
Seed Yam Costs: The high cost of high-quality planting materials (seed tubers) can account for up to 50% of total production costs for smallholder farmers.
Post-Harvest Loss: Due to their high water content and lack of modern storage facilities, a significant percentage of harvested yams rot before they can reach the market.
Yield Gaps: Much of the recent growth in production has come from increasing the amount of land used rather than increasing the efficiency of the crops. There is a significant gap between the actual yield (often around 10 tonnes/ha) and the potential yield (up to 50 tonnes/ha) through improved agronomy.
Fastest Growing Yam Producing Countries
While traditional leaders like Nigeria and Ghana maintain the highest volumes, recent data highlights a shift in growth momentum toward other nations. Several countries in West Africa and Latin America have shown significant production surges, often driven by agricultural expansion and improved variety adoption.
The table below focuses on the 3-year and 5-year compound growth trends to identify which countries are scaling their output most rapidly.
| Rank | Country | 5-Year Growth Rate | Primary Reason for Growth |
| 1 | Guinea | +118.2% | Rapid expansion of land under cultivation. |
| 2 | Ghana | +33.7% | Adoption of high-yield varieties (e.g., "Mankrong"). |
| 3 | Benin | +12.8% | Improved agronomic practices and regional demand. |
| 4 | Nigeria | +11.8% | Steady increase despite high production costs. |
| 5 | Colombia | +15.3% | Diversification of root crops in South America. |
Analysis of Growth Factors
Guinea’s Surge: Guinea has emerged as a high-growth outlier, more than doubling its production volume over a five-year period. This is largely attributed to the formalization of smallholder farming and the conversion of savanna land to yam-based agrosystems.
Intensification in Ghana: Unlike many neighbors who grow output by simply clearing more land, Ghana's growth is increasingly driven by yield efficiency. The country has successfully commercialized specific varieties preferred for export, making yam farming more lucrative.
The Latin American Factor: While Africa remains the heart of production, Colombia has shown a resilient growth trend. This indicates a rising domestic interest in yams as a climate-smart alternative to other root crops that are more susceptible to heat stress.
Yam Processing and Refinement by Country
While yams are predominantly sold as fresh tubers, the growth of "yam refineries"—facilities dedicated to processing yams into value-added products like flour, starch, and pharmaceutical precursors—is a key trend in the industry. These refineries help reduce post-harvest waste, which can be as high as 30% to 40% in some regions.
The table below outlines the primary countries engaged in yam processing and the specific outputs they focus on.
Global Yam Processing and Refinement Value by Country (2025)
| Country | Primary Value-Added Focus | Estimated Sector Value (USD) | Economic Driver |
| Nigeria | Yam Flour & Industrial Starch | $6.2 Billion | High domestic consumption and shift to automated milling. |
| China | Pharmaceutical Extracts (Diosgenin) | $2.4 Billion | High-value medical grade refinement for steroids/hormones. |
| Ghana | Export-Grade Flour & Pellets | $1.1 Billion | Leading global exporter; focus on shelf-stable food supply. |
| Japan | Premium Nutraceutical Powders | $950 Million | Advanced refinement for health supplements and high-end baking. |
| United States | Health Supplements & Root Powder | $350 Million | Rising demand for gluten-free and "clean-label" ingredients. |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Industrial Starch & Bio-materials | $220 Million | Expansion of processing hubs for textile and food industries. |
| Colombia | Frozen & Pre-cut Preparations | $155 Million | Fastest-growing value-added segment in South America. |
| Jamaica | Preserved & Canned Specialty Yams | $60 Million | Targeted export for the Caribbean diaspora market. |
Global Yam Processing and Refinement by Country
| Country | Primary Processed Product | Refinery Focus & Scale |
| Nigeria | Yam Flour (Elubo) | World leader in traditional and industrial flour milling; rising investment in pharmaceutical-grade starch. |
| Ghana | Yam Starch & Sliced Pellets | High concentration of commercial-scale exporters; focus on dehydrated chips and high-quality starch for export. |
| China | Pharmaceutical Extracts | Specialized in refining Dioscorea for "Diosgenin," a compound used in the production of steroids and hormones. |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Industrial Starch | Increasing number of regional hubs focusing on starch for the textile and food industries. |
| Japan | Yam Powder (Nagaimo) | High-tech refineries producing ultra-fine powders used in premium baking and health supplements. |
| Colombia | Frozen Yam Products | Emerging processing sector focused on pre-cut, frozen yams for the North American retail market. |
Key Refinery Categories
Traditional Flour Milling: Predominant in Nigeria and Benin, where tubers are sliced, parboiled, dried, and ground into flour. This is the most common form of value-added processing.
Starch Extraction: Larger industrial facilities in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire refine yams into starch used as thickeners in the food industry or as sizing agents in the textile industry.
Biochemical Refining: In China and India, specific yam species are "refined" to extract chemical precursors. This is a high-value niche where the tuber is used as a raw material for the global pharmaceutical supply chain.
Dehydration & Pelleting: Facilities designed to convert yams into a shelf-stable, easy-to-ship format. This is the fastest-growing sector for countries looking to enter the European and North American import markets.
The Role of Technological Advancement
Current trends show that "refineries" are moving away from simple sun-drying toward industrial flash dryers and automated peeling systems. These technologies allow for a "Grade A" white flour that can compete with wheat flour in various applications, significantly increasing the market value of the raw crop.
Future Outlook: The Evolution of Global Yam Production
The global landscape of yam production is currently undergoing a significant transition. While Nigeria remains the undisputed leader in volume, the focus is shifting from simple cultivation toward sophisticated processing and industrialization. The rise of "yam refineries" and value-added products marks the beginning of a move to integrate this traditional staple into the global industrial supply chain.
As production methods modernize, several key factors will define the future of the industry:
Industrialization of the Value Chain: The expansion of processing facilities in Ghana and Nigeria is reducing post-harvest losses and creating new markets for yam-based starch and flour. This transformation is turning yams from a perishable local food into a shelf-stable global commodity.
Pharmaceutical Importance: The continued refinement of specific yam species for chemical extracts like diosgenin ensures that the crop will remain vital not only for food security but also for the global medical and steroid industry.
Economic Diversification: For nations like Guinea and Benin, rapid growth in the yam sector offers a pathway to economic stability, providing rural smallholders with a high-value alternative to other grains.
Climate Resilience: With the support of organizations like the FAO, the development of more resilient yam varieties will be essential to maintaining these production levels in the face of changing tropical weather patterns.
Ultimately, the transition from backyard farming to industrial-scale refinement positions the yam as a cornerstone of both food security and economic growth across Africa and the tropical world.
