All roots and tubers production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 2.7 million t of all roots and tubers, the 53rd largest in the world (0.29% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 17%. The record was 2.8 million t in 2019. Area harvested: 96,414 ha, yield 27.9 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 2.7 million t
- World rank
- 53 of 192
- 10-year change
- +17%
- Record
- 2.8 million t
- 2019
All roots and tubers in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.29%
- 0.28% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 27.9
- world 13.1 (+113%)
- kg per person
- 42.1
- world 116
- 10-year change
- +17%
- world +13%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Denmark | 2,997,600 | 0.32% |
| 52 | Iran | 2,921,904 | 0.31% |
| 53 | South Africa | 2,694,063 | 0.29% |
| 54 | Kazakhstan | 2,634,610 | 0.28% |
| 55 | Mexico | 2,437,433 | 0.26% |
Map of world production of roots and tubers
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,694,063 | +8.1% | 96,414 | 27.94 |
| 2023 | 2,491,361 | −5.1% | 92,964 | 26.80 |
| 2022 | 2,623,883 | −2.0% | 102,142 | 25.69 |
| 2021 | 2,676,893 | −2.8% | 99,911 | 26.79 |
| 2020 | 2,753,267 | −0.4% | 103,361 | 26.64 |
| 2019 | 2,763,924 | +8.2% | 105,566 | 26.18 |
| 2018 | 2,553,910 | +0.9% | 98,768 | 25.86 |
| 2017 | 2,531,355 | +14% | 94,410 | 26.81 |
| 2016 | 2,212,469 | −13% | 81,258 | 27.23 |
| 2015 | 2,552,120 | +10% | 91,857 | 27.78 |
| 2014 | 2,310,064 | +3.2% | 84,989 | 27.18 |
| 2013 | 2,238,964 | −2.0% | 83,568 | 26.79 |
| 2012 | 2,284,113 | +1.4% | 82,023 | 27.85 |
| 2011 | 2,252,967 | +4.5% | 81,055 | 27.80 |
| 2010 | 2,155,994 | +12% | 82,413 | 26.16 |
| 2009 | 1,929,602 | −7.8% | 76,000 | 25.39 |
| 2008 | 2,092,496 | +6.3% | 76,434 | 27.38 |
| 2007 | 1,968,020 | +3.3% | 73,500 | 26.78 |
| 2006 | 1,904,233 | +4.5% | 71,000 | 26.82 |
| 2005 | 1,822,070 | −1.7% | 69,130 | 26.36 |
| 2004 | 1,854,420 | +9.1% | 68,000 | 27.27 |
| 2003 | 1,699,949 | +5.7% | 64,500 | 26.36 |
| 2002 | 1,608,282 | −11% | 63,000 | 25.53 |
| 2001 | 1,803,191 | +3.1% | 72,151 | 24.99 |
| 2000 | 1,749,068 | −5.0% | 68,429 | 25.56 |
| 1999 | 1,840,508 | +7.3% | 71,454 | 25.76 |
| 1998 | 1,715,462 | +4.7% | 70,144 | 24.46 |
| 1997 | 1,638,589 | −0.0% | 71,473 | 22.93 |
| 1996 | 1,638,880 | +11% | 75,500 | 21.71 |
| 1995 | 1,477,937 | +9.5% | 70,697 | 20.91 |
| 1994 | 1,349,811 | +0.4% | 73,445 | 18.38 |
| 1993 | 1,343,892 | +19% | 73,411 | 18.31 |
| 1992 | 1,125,028 | −19% | 75,483 | 14.90 |
| 1991 | 1,381,263 | +5.1% | 82,064 | 16.83 |
| 1990 | 1,314,402 | +0.3% | 77,947 | 16.86 |
| 1989 | 1,310,975 | +17% | 86,106 | 15.23 |
| 1988 | 1,124,750 | +4.5% | 81,500 | 13.80 |
| 1987 | 1,076,452 | −0.1% | 73,500 | 14.65 |
| 1986 | 1,078,000 | −2.7% | 72,000 | 14.97 |
| 1985 | 1,108,000 | +7.4% | 81,000 | 13.68 |
| 1984 | 1,032,000 | +15% | 81,500 | 12.66 |
| 1983 | 898,000 | −14% | 73,000 | 12.30 |
| 1982 | 1,040,000 | +15% | 69,000 | 15.07 |
| 1981 | 904,000 | +23% | 74,000 | 12.22 |
| 1980 | 732,000 | −1.5% | 62,000 | 11.81 |
| 1979 | 743,000 | −0.3% | 62,000 | 11.98 |
| 1978 | 745,000 | −7.0% | 63,000 | 11.83 |
| 1977 | 801,000 | +10% | 63,000 | 12.71 |
| 1976 | 725,000 | −3.5% | 61,000 | 11.89 |
| 1975 | 751,000 | +8.7% | 61,000 | 12.31 |
| 1974 | 691,000 | +15% | 58,000 | 11.91 |
| 1973 | 600,000 | −16% | 53,000 | 11.32 |
| 1972 | 717,000 | +12% | 50,000 | 14.34 |
| 1971 | 643,000 | −2.6% | 68,000 | 9.46 |
| 1970 | 660,000 | +18% | 59,000 | 11.19 |
| 1969 | 561,000 | −4.4% | 69,000 | 8.13 |
| 1968 | 587,000 | +12% | 52,000 | 11.29 |
| 1967 | 525,000 | +18% | 56,050 | 9.37 |
| 1966 | 446,000 | +5.2% | 52,900 | 8.43 |
| 1965 | 424,000 | −3.2% | 65,000 | 6.52 |
| 1964 | 438,000 | +0.7% | 63,000 | 6.95 |
| 1963 | 435,000 | +15% | 66,391 | 6.55 |
| 1962 | 378,000 | +1.3% | 65,391 | 5.78 |
| 1961 | 373,000 | — | 57,682 | 6.47 |
Questions and answers
What is the production of roots and tubers in South Africa?
South Africa produced 2.7 million t in 2024, 0.29% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of roots and tubers?
South Africa ranked 53rd of 192 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 16.2% of the world total.
How has the production of roots and tubers in South Africa changed?
It rose by 17% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +13% for the world. The record was 2.8 million t in 2019.
What is the yield of roots and tubers in South Africa?
27.9 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (2.7 million t from 96,414 ha), against a world average of 13.1 t/ha.
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.