Yams production in Nigeria
In 2024 Nigeria produced 65.3 million t of yams, the largest total in the world (70.7% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 49%. This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 8.0 million ha, yield 8.1 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 65.3 million t
- World rank
- 1 of 59
- 10-year change
- +49%
- Record
- 65.3 million t
- 2024
Yams in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 70.7%
- 67.2% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 8.1
- world 8.4 (−3.5%)
- kg per person
- 281
- world 11.3
- 10-year change
- +49%
- world +42%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 65,322,032 | 70.7% |
| 2 | Ghana | 10,113,014 | 10.9% |
| 3 | Côte d'Ivoire | 7,660,870 | 8.3% |
Map of world production of yams
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 65,322,032 | +4.7% | 8,015,649 | 8.15 |
| 2023 | 62,378,631 | +2.1% | 7,613,167 | 8.19 |
| 2022 | 61,100,195 | +2.0% | 7,467,286 | 8.18 |
| 2021 | 59,884,050 | +6.3% | 7,498,130 | 7.99 |
| 2020 | 56,345,530 | +6.5% | 7,128,080 | 7.90 |
| 2019 | 52,914,910 | −4.4% | 6,778,080 | 7.81 |
| 2018 | 55,363,999 | +12% | 5,427,899 | 10.20 |
| 2017 | 49,519,100 | +1.1% | 5,276,098 | 9.39 |
| 2016 | 48,982,621 | +11% | 5,347,483 | 9.16 |
| 2015 | 44,103,900 | +0.9% | 5,389,870 | 8.18 |
| 2014 | 43,709,800 | +23% | 5,333,871 | 8.19 |
| 2013 | 35,618,420 | +10% | 5,088,300 | 7.00 |
| 2012 | 32,318,900 | −2.5% | 4,487,946 | 7.20 |
| 2011 | 33,134,172 | −11% | 4,475,356 | 7.40 |
| 2010 | 37,328,180 | +28% | 2,868,990 | 13.01 |
| 2009 | 29,091,980 | −17% | 2,776,020 | 10.48 |
| 2008 | 35,017,000 | +12% | 3,045,000 | 11.50 |
| 2007 | 31,136,000 | −15% | 3,123,000 | 9.97 |
| 2006 | 36,720,000 | +8.0% | 3,035,000 | 12.10 |
| 2005 | 34,000,000 | +7.0% | 2,957,000 | 11.50 |
| 2004 | 31,776,000 | +7.0% | 2,837,000 | 11.20 |
| 2003 | 29,697,000 | +6.4% | 2,828,000 | 10.50 |
| 2002 | 27,911,000 | +6.4% | 2,794,000 | 9.99 |
| 2001 | 26,232,000 | +0.1% | 2,677,000 | 9.80 |
| 2000 | 26,201,000 | +1.3% | 2,647,000 | 9.90 |
| 1999 | 25,873,000 | +4.5% | 2,613,000 | 9.90 |
| 1998 | 24,768,000 | +3.3% | 2,625,000 | 9.44 |
| 1997 | 23,972,000 | +3.3% | 2,169,890 | 11.05 |
| 1996 | 23,201,000 | +1.7% | 2,172,000 | 10.68 |
| 1995 | 22,818,000 | −1.4% | 2,118,000 | 10.77 |
| 1994 | 23,153,000 | +7.0% | 2,031,000 | 11.40 |
| 1993 | 21,632,000 | +9.4% | 1,906,000 | 11.35 |
| 1992 | 19,781,000 | +17% | 1,743,000 | 11.35 |
| 1991 | 16,956,000 | +24% | 1,639,000 | 10.35 |
| 1990 | 13,624,000 | +42% | 1,276,000 | 10.68 |
| 1989 | 9,609,000 | +5.2% | 921,000 | 10.43 |
| 1988 | 9,132,000 | +87% | 935,000 | 9.77 |
| 1987 | 4,886,000 | −6.2% | 751,000 | 6.51 |
| 1986 | 5,209,000 | +9.9% | 924,000 | 5.64 |
| 1985 | 4,738,000 | +3.0% | 840,000 | 5.64 |
| 1984 | 4,600,000 | −8.0% | 816,000 | 5.64 |
| 1983 | 4,998,000 | −7.2% | 888,000 | 5.63 |
| 1982 | 5,385,000 | +3.3% | 956,000 | 5.63 |
| 1981 | 5,212,000 | −0.7% | 926,000 | 5.63 |
| 1980 | 5,248,000 | −0.2% | 498,000 | 10.54 |
| 1979 | 5,256,000 | −9.1% | 481,000 | 10.93 |
| 1978 | 5,780,000 | −9.3% | 471,000 | 12.27 |
| 1977 | 6,376,000 | −2.7% | 577,000 | 11.05 |
| 1976 | 6,556,000 | −24% | 679,000 | 9.66 |
| 1975 | 8,621,000 | +20% | 776,000 | 11.11 |
| 1974 | 7,160,000 | +3.2% | 671,000 | 10.67 |
| 1973 | 6,935,000 | +0.5% | 948,000 | 7.32 |
| 1972 | 6,900,000 | −29% | 932,000 | 7.40 |
| 1971 | 9,766,000 | −19% | 1,236,000 | 7.90 |
| 1970 | 12,033,000 | +23% | 1,237,000 | 9.73 |
| 1969 | 9,785,000 | +19% | 1,043,000 | 9.38 |
| 1968 | 8,233,000 | +5.5% | 1,068,000 | 7.71 |
| 1967 | 7,806,000 | +12% | 771,000 | 10.12 |
| 1966 | 6,987,000 | +16% | 742,000 | 9.42 |
| 1965 | 6,000,000 | +20% | 700,000 | 8.57 |
| 1964 | 5,000,000 | +11% | 600,000 | 8.33 |
| 1963 | 4,500,000 | +29% | 550,000 | 8.18 |
| 1962 | 3,500,000 | 0.0% | 450,000 | 7.78 |
| 1961 | 3,500,000 | — | 450,000 | 7.78 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,621 t USD 465,000
- Exporter rank
- 15 of 52
- Imports
- 88 t USD 50,000
- Importer rank
- 38 of 85
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 yams in Nigeria?
Nigeria produced 65.3 million t in 2024, 70.7% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world for production of yams?
Nigeria was the world’s largest producer in 2024, ahead of Ghana.
How has the production of yams in Nigeria changed?
It rose by 49% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +42% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
What is the yield of yams in Nigeria?
8.1 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (65.3 million t from 8.0 million ha), against a world average of 8.4 t/ha.
Does Nigeria export or import yams?
In 2024 Nigeria reported exports of 1,621 t (USD 465,000) and imports of 88 t (USD 50,000), 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; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is estimated by FAO. 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.