Maize production in China
In 2024 China produced 295 million t of maize, the 2nd largest in the world (24.2% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 37%. This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 44.7 million ha, yield 6.6 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 295 million t
- World rank
- 2 of 162
- 10-year change
- +37%
- Record
- 295 million t
- 2024
Maize in China, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 24.2%
- 20.7% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 6.6
- world 5.8 (+14%)
- kg per person
- 208
- world 149
- 10-year change
- +37%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 377,632,690 | 31.0% |
| 2 | China | 294,920,000 | 24.2% |
| 3 | Brazil | 114,953,303 | 9.4% |
| 4 | Argentina | 57,494,500 | 4.7% |
Map of world production of maize
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 294,920,000 | +2.1% | 44,740,700 | 6.59 |
| 2023 | 288,842,300 | +4.2% | 44,218,900 | 6.53 |
| 2022 | 277,203,000 | +1.7% | 43,070,000 | 6.44 |
| 2021 | 272,552,000 | +4.6% | 43,324,100 | 6.29 |
| 2020 | 260,670,000 | −0.0% | 41,260,000 | 6.32 |
| 2019 | 260,778,900 | +1.4% | 41,280,000 | 6.32 |
| 2018 | 257,173,900 | −0.7% | 42,130,050 | 6.10 |
| 2017 | 259,071,000 | −1.7% | 42,399,000 | 6.11 |
| 2016 | 263,613,000 | −0.5% | 44,178,000 | 5.97 |
| 2015 | 264,992,000 | +23% | 44,968,000 | 5.89 |
| 2014 | 215,646,300 | −1.3% | 37,123,390 | 5.81 |
| 2013 | 218,489,000 | +6.3% | 36,318,400 | 6.02 |
| 2012 | 205,614,100 | +6.7% | 35,029,820 | 5.87 |
| 2011 | 192,781,000 | +8.7% | 33,541,670 | 5.75 |
| 2010 | 177,425,000 | +8.2% | 32,500,120 | 5.46 |
| 2009 | 163,974,000 | −1.2% | 31,182,640 | 5.26 |
| 2008 | 165,914,000 | +8.9% | 29,863,710 | 5.56 |
| 2007 | 152,300,000 | +0.5% | 29,477,510 | 5.17 |
| 2006 | 151,603,008 | +8.8% | 28,462,980 | 5.33 |
| 2005 | 139,365,000 | +7.0% | 26,358,300 | 5.29 |
| 2004 | 130,290,000 | +12% | 25,445,670 | 5.12 |
| 2003 | 115,830,000 | −3.5% | 24,068,160 | 4.81 |
| 2002 | 120,000,000 | +5.2% | 24,633,710 | 4.87 |
| 2001 | 114,090,000 | +7.6% | 24,282,050 | 4.70 |
| 2000 | 106,000,000 | −17% | 23,056,110 | 4.60 |
| 1999 | 128,086,000 | −3.7% | 25,903,710 | 4.94 |
| 1998 | 132,954,000 | +27% | 25,238,840 | 5.27 |
| 1997 | 104,310,000 | −18% | 23,775,090 | 4.39 |
| 1996 | 127,470,000 | +14% | 24,498,150 | 5.20 |
| 1995 | 111,986,000 | +13% | 22,775,700 | 4.92 |
| 1994 | 99,277,000 | −3.3% | 21,152,100 | 4.69 |
| 1993 | 102,704,000 | +7.7% | 20,694,100 | 4.96 |
| 1992 | 95,383,008 | −3.4% | 21,043,500 | 4.53 |
| 1991 | 98,773,008 | +2.0% | 21,574,270 | 4.58 |
| 1990 | 96,819,008 | +23% | 21,401,296 | 4.52 |
| 1989 | 78,930,000 | +2.0% | 20,353,008 | 3.88 |
| 1988 | 77,351,008 | −2.4% | 19,691,808 | 3.93 |
| 1987 | 79,240,000 | +12% | 20,211,664 | 3.92 |
| 1986 | 70,856,000 | +11% | 19,124,000 | 3.71 |
| 1985 | 63,826,000 | −13% | 17,694,000 | 3.61 |
| 1984 | 73,410,000 | +7.6% | 18,537,008 | 3.96 |
| 1983 | 68,210,000 | +13% | 18,824,208 | 3.62 |
| 1982 | 60,560,000 | +2.3% | 18,525,008 | 3.27 |
| 1981 | 59,210,000 | −5.4% | 19,405,008 | 3.05 |
| 1980 | 62,600,000 | +4.3% | 20,332,000 | 3.08 |
| 1979 | 60,040,000 | +7.3% | 20,112,496 | 2.99 |
| 1978 | 55,950,000 | +13% | 19,961,008 | 2.80 |
| 1977 | 49,400,000 | +2.6% | 19,638,000 | 2.52 |
| 1976 | 48,150,000 | +2.0% | 19,209,008 | 2.51 |
| 1975 | 47,220,000 | +10% | 18,579,008 | 2.54 |
| 1974 | 42,920,000 | +11% | 17,393,008 | 2.47 |
| 1973 | 38,630,000 | +20% | 16,554,000 | 2.33 |
| 1972 | 32,100,000 | −10% | 16,686,000 | 1.92 |
| 1971 | 35,850,000 | +8.5% | 16,709,000 | 2.15 |
| 1970 | 33,030,000 | +16% | 15,815,500 | 2.09 |
| 1969 | 28,420,000 | −2.2% | 16,000,000 | 1.78 |
| 1968 | 29,070,000 | −6.1% | 16,000,000 | 1.82 |
| 1967 | 30,950,000 | +6.2% | 16,000,000 | 1.93 |
| 1966 | 29,130,000 | +23% | 17,000,000 | 1.71 |
| 1965 | 23,650,000 | +4.2% | 15,655,000 | 1.51 |
| 1964 | 22,690,000 | +10% | 15,348,000 | 1.48 |
| 1963 | 20,580,000 | +27% | 15,360,000 | 1.34 |
| 1962 | 16,250,000 | −9.7% | 12,800,000 | 1.27 |
| 1961 | 18,000,000 | — | 15,200,000 | 1.18 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 3,921 t USD 7.0 m
- Exporter rank
- 67 of 137
- Imports
- 13.6 million t USD 3.76 bn
- Importer rank
- 3 of 190
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of maize in China?
China produced 295 million t in 2024, 24.2% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of maize?
China ranked 2nd of 162 countries in 2024. The largest producer was United States with 31.0% of the world total.
How has the production of maize in China changed?
It rose by 37% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
What is the yield of maize in China?
6.6 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (295 million t from 44.7 million ha), against a world average of 5.8 t/ha.
Does China export or import maize (corn)?
In 2024 China reported exports of 3,921 t (USD 7.0 m) and imports of 13.6 million t (USD 3.76 bn), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.