Recent State and Prospects of World Production and Trade in Cassava

Abstract

In 2002-2003, cassava took fifth place of world production of crops after maize, rice wheat, and potatoes with production of 186-189 million metric ton (MT), harvested from 17.4-17.6 million ha. Africa was the world biggest cassava producer producing 53.9% of world production from 65.7% of world harvested areas in 2003. However, Asia showed the highest yield of 16.0 MT ha-¹ in contrast to 13.0 MT ha-¹ in South America, and 8.8 MT ha-¹ in Africa. And Asia produced 30.0% of world cassava production from 19.7% of world harvested areas in 2003.