> 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%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[All roots and tubers](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2024

# 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.

[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 20242.7 million t
World rank53 of 192
10-year change+17%
Record2.8 million t2019

## All roots and tubers in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2024

Share of world total0.29%0.28% in 2014
Yield, t/ha27.9world 13.1 (+113%)
kg per person42.1world 116
10-year change+17%world +13%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51 | [Denmark](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/denmark/) | 2,997,600 | 0.32% |
| 52 | [Iran](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/iran/) | 2,921,904 | 0.31% |
| 53 | **South Africa** | 2,694,063 | 0.29% |
| 54 | [Kazakhstan](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/kazakhstan/) | 2,634,610 | 0.28% |
| 55 | [Mexico](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/mexico/) | 2,437,433 | 0.26% |

[Full ranking of 192 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/)

### Map of world production of roots and tubers

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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

[China](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/china/)[Nigeria](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/nigeria/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/india/)[DR Congo](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/dr-congo/)[Ghana](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/ghana/)[Thailand](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/thailand/)[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/brazil/)[Ukraine](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/ukraine/)[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/united-states/)[Indonesia](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/indonesia/)[Russia](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/russia/)[Côte d'Ivoire](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/cote-divoire/)
[All countries producing all roots and tubers](https://husfarm.com/production/roots-tubers-total/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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