FAOSTAT · 1961–2024

Maize production in Lesotho

In 2024 Lesotho produced 56,443 t of maize, the 113th largest in the world (0.00% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 37%. The record was 188,489 t in 1996. Area harvested: 89,206 ha, yield 0.6 t/ha.

Today’s prices

Production, 2024: 56,443 t
World rank: 113 of 162
10-year change: −37%
Record: 188,489 t; 1996

Maize in Lesotho, 1961–2024 (tonnes)

Lesotho compared with the world, 2024

Share of world total: 0.00%; 0.01% in 2014
Yield, t/ha: 0.6; world 5.8 (−89%)
kg per person: 24.1; world 149
10-year change: −37%; world +17%

Position in the world ranking

#	Country	Tonnes	Share
111	Denmark	62,660	0.01%
112	Yemen	58,000	0.00%
113	Lesotho	56,443	0.00%
114	Gabon	45,976	0.00%
115	Niger	44,298	0.00%

Full ranking of 162 countries

Map of world production of maize

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
Share of the world total; Lesotho is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.

By year

Year	Tonnes	Change	Area harvested, ha	Yield, t/ha
2024	56,443	−56%	89,206	0.63
2023	126,994	+76%	149,271	0.85
2022	72,096	−19%	89,602	0.80
2021	88,553	+307%	86,379	1.03
2020	21,782	−12%	47,669	0.46
2019	24,621	−78%	32,026	0.77
2018	109,912	−36%	126,564	0.87
2017	172,666	+800%	165,882	1.04
2016	19,181	−71%	40,981	0.47
2015	65,636	−27%	99,884	0.66
2014	90,072	+4.3%	132,727	0.68
2013	86,325	−2.1%	104,926	0.82
2012	88,187	+20%	126,854	0.70
2011	73,390	−43%	115,688	0.63
2010	128,213	+124%	141,340	0.91
2009	57,126	−4.2%	137,366	0.42
2008	59,651	−1.1%	137,156	0.43
2007	60,312	−12%	123,661	0.49
2006	68,762	−13%	123,508	0.56
2005	78,739	−2.8%	112,302	0.70
2004	80,996	−1.3%	127,620	0.63
2003	82,080	−26%	127,470	0.64
2002	111,110	−30%	137,380	0.81
2001	158,190	+48%	177,485	0.89
2000	106,800	−14%	157,680	0.68
1999	124,549	+5.0%	132,360	0.94
1998	118,578	−17%	90,030	1.32
1997	142,050	−25%	144,116	0.99
1996	188,489	+201%	150,908	1.25
1995	62,531	−58%	76,955	0.81
1994	149,063	+62%	172,743	0.86
1993	91,805	+50%	103,437	0.89
1992	61,074	+25%	105,454	0.58
1991	48,918	−71%	90,461	0.54
1990	171,579	+25%	155,976	1.10
1989	137,227	−14%	130,996	1.05
1988	159,726	+68%	173,214	0.92
1987	94,912	+9.7%	142,422	0.67
1986	86,488	−6.3%	122,008	0.71
1985	92,350	+16%	118,061	0.78
1984	79,384	+4.2%	116,739	0.68
1983	76,200	−8.2%	103,529	0.74
1982	83,028	−21%	114,282	0.73
1981	105,674	+0.1%	124,812	0.85
1980	105,618	−15%	110,357	0.96
1979	124,856	−13%	112,263	1.11
1978	143,168	+14%	101,683	1.41
1977	125,932	+156%	80,336	1.57
1976	49,128	−30%	84,827	0.58
1975	70,292	−43%	107,844	0.65
1974	122,542	+75%	129,708	0.94
1973	70,000	+19%	115,000	0.61
1972	59,000	−20%	110,000	0.54
1971	74,000	+11%	135,000	0.55
1970	66,514	−35%	129,247	0.51
1969	101,893	−4.5%	142,037	0.72
1968	106,743	−3.0%	156,477	0.68
1967	110,000	+0.9%	148,000	0.74
1966	109,000	−0.9%	140,000	0.78
1965	110,000	0.0%	155,000	0.71
1964	110,000	0.0%	135,000	0.81
1963	110,000	0.0%	135,000	0.81
1962	110,000	0.0%	135,000	0.81
1961	110,000	—	135,000	0.81

Trade, 2024

Exports: 137 t USD 46,000
Exporter rank: 97 of 137
Imports: 99,878 t USD 34.2 m
Importer rank: 86 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 Lesotho?

Lesotho produced 56,443 t in 2024, 0.00% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.

Where does Lesotho rank in the world for production of maize?

Lesotho ranked 113th 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 Lesotho changed?

It fell by 37% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 188,489 t in 1996.

What is the yield of maize in Lesotho?

0.6 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (56,443 t from 89,206 ha), against a world average of 5.8 t/ha.

Does Lesotho export or import maize (corn)?

In 2024 Lesotho reported exports of 137 t (USD 46,000) and imports of 99,878 t (USD 34.2 m), 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.

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.