INTRODUCTION
This page shows statistics about food production including cereal production by region and year.
Charts
1. Cereal Production by Region and Year 1965 – 2015
2. Cereal Production in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and North America 1965 – 2015
3. Cereal Production by Region and Year 1965 – 2015
4. Share of Cereal Production by Region of World in 1965 and 2015
5. Cereal Production Per Capita (kg) by Country
The chart shows strong global growth in cereal production between 1965 and 2015, reflecting both population growth and advances in agricultural productivity. The most striking increases occur in Eastern Asia and South and Central Asia. Eastern Asia—driven largely by China—shows the largest overall output and the greatest absolute growth, reflecting large-scale agricultural modernization and rising food demand.
South and Central Asia, including countries such as India and Pakistan, also shows major expansion as improved crop varieties, irrigation, and the Green Revolution boosted yields. South-East Asia follows a similar upward trend as rice production increased to support rapidly growing populations.
Northern America and Europe remain significant producers but show slower growth compared with Asia, as their agricultural systems were already highly productive by the 1960s. Meanwhile, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa show steady but smaller increases, reflecting more limited agricultural infrastructure and environmental challenges.
Overall, the chart illustrates how cereal production growth has been concentrated mainly in Asia, where population pressures and agricultural development have driven dramatic increases in output.
The chart compares cereal production in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and North America between 1965 and 2015. North America consistently produces the most cereals, reflecting its vast agricultural land, highly mechanized farming, and large-scale grain industries in countries such as the United States and Canada. Production rises strongly overall across the period.
Eastern Europe shows more fluctuation. Production rises through the 1970s and 1980s but then falls sharply by 1995, largely linked to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition from centrally planned agriculture to market-based systems, which disrupted farming and supply chains.
Interestingly, all three regions experience a noticeable drop between 1985 and 1995. While the Eastern European decline was tied to political and economic upheaval, the broader dip may also reflect changing agricultural policies, market adjustments, and environmental factors such as weather conditions affecting harvests during that period.
After 1995, production resumes growth in all regions, with technological improvements and modern farming practices driving steady increases through to 2015.
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5. Cereal Production Per Capita (kg) by Country