Specialty Cereals (Teff, Fonio, Traditional Grains) Production by Country 2025
Other cereals encompass specialty grains not classified elsewhere, with Ethiopia dominating at 6,536,338 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 6,393,709 tonnes by 2025. Chad follows with 552,226 tonnes, while Kazakhstan produces 384,426 tonnes. This category primarily includes teff (Ethiopia's staple grain), fonio (West African grain), and various traditional cereals cultivated regionally. Ethiopia's massive production reflects teff's central role in Ethiopian cuisine as the base for injera flatbread, consumed daily by millions across the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia leads with 6,536,338 tonnes, showing steady growth from 5,403,479 in 2018, driven entirely by teff production. Teff cultivation spans over 3 million hectares in Ethiopian highlands, where the tiny grain (3,000 seeds per gram) thrives at 1,800-2,800 meters elevation. The crop forms Ethiopia's dietary foundation through injera, the sourdough flatbread accompanying every meal. Teff's nutritional profile includes high iron, calcium, and protein content, making it valuable for food security. Growing international demand for gluten-free grains drives teff exports, though domestic consumption absorbs most production. Government programs support improved varieties and mechanization. Chad produces 552,226 tonnes of various traditional cereals including fonio and local varieties. Tanzania contributes 57,964 tonnes, Eritrea 30,214 tonnes (primarily teff), Sierra Leone 10,270 tonnes, and Burundi 13,920 tonnes. African production reflects centuries-old cultivation of indigenous grains adapted to local climates and dietary traditions. Fonio, cultivated in West Africa, matures rapidly (6-8 weeks) and tolerates poor soils, providing food security during lean seasons. These specialty grains maintain cultural significance despite competition from major cereals. Kazakhstan leads Central Asian production with 384,426 tonnes of specialty cereals adapted to continental climate. Thailand contributes 236,479 tonnes, China 43,073 tonnes, South Korea 21,725 tonnes, and Myanmar 12,804 tonnes. Middle Eastern producers include Saudi Arabia (74,708 tonnes) and Oman (31,738 tonnes). Uzbekistan adds 11,472 tonnes. The region's production includes both traditional grains and experimental cultivation of specialty cereals for niche markets and health food sectors. France leads European production with 270,210 tonnes, showing volatility from 185,910 to 309,580. Poland contributes 193,970 tonnes, Italy 77,367 tonnes, Lithuania 37,964 tonnes, and Austria 20,919 tonnes. Latvia, Belarus, Spain, and Hungary maintain significant production. European output includes specialty grains for health food markets, organic production, and traditional varieties experiencing renewed consumer interest. Production serves niche markets valuing ancient grains and dietary diversity. Teff provides exceptional nutrition with high iron (37mg/100g), calcium (180mg/100g), and protein (13%) content. Gluten-free nature suits celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Fonio offers rapid cooking (5 minutes) and light, fluffy texture. These specialty cereals provide dietary diversity and nutritional benefits beyond major grains. Growing health consciousness drives international interest in ancient grains. Processing into flour enables bread, pasta, and baked goods production. Traditional uses include porridges, flatbreads, and fermented beverages. Teff thrives in Ethiopian highland climate with temperatures 10-27°C and rainfall 450-550mm. The tiny seeds require careful seedbed preparation and weed management. Growing period 90-150 days depending on variety. Fonio tolerates poor, sandy soils and drought conditions, maturing in 6-8 weeks. Most specialty cereals require minimal inputs and suit smallholder farming systems. Climate resilience makes them valuable for food security in marginal environments. However, low yields compared to major cereals limit commercial expansion. Teff prices range $800-1,500/tonne in Ethiopia, higher for export-grade grain at $2,000-3,000/tonne. International markets pay premium prices for specialty grains: teff flour $4-8/kg, fonio $3-6/kg. Growing health food market drives demand in developed countries. However, limited production volumes constrain export potential. Most specialty cereals serve local markets where cultural preferences maintain demand. Processing capacity limitations restrict value addition. Climate change may favor drought-tolerant specialty cereals over less resilient major grains. Global specialty cereal production projected to remain stable through 2025, with Ethiopia maintaining dominance in teff. Growing international interest in ancient grains creates export opportunities, though production will likely remain concentrated in traditional regions. Health-conscious consumers in developed markets discover nutritional benefits and unique flavors of specialty cereals. Climate resilience positions these grains favorably for future agricultural challenges. However, competition from major cereals and limited mechanization constrain expansion. The category's future depends on balancing traditional cultivation with modern market demands while maintaining sustainable production in marginal environments.🏆 Ethiopia's Teff Dominance
Specialty Cereals (Teff, Fonio, Traditional Grains) Production by Country 2025
1
6,393,709
2
537,199
3
388,077
4
255,634
5
236,479
6
199,017
7
77,367
8
73,314
9
57,897
10
43,134
11
37,964
12
30,214
13
29,600
14
28,033
15
22,787
16
20,919
17
20,668
18
20,100
19
17,231
20
15,885
21
13,925
22
13,703
23
12,804
24
12,300
25
11,976
26
11,472
27
10,707
28
10,270
29
8,787
30
7,976
31
7,482
32
7,317
33
7,084
34
6,943
35
6,552
36
6,421
37
6,030
38
5,959
39
5,950
40
5,249
41
4,049
42
3,565
43
3,137
44
2,543
45
2,533
46
2,292
47
2,164
48
1,337
49
1,215
50
1,155
51
1,120
52
1,052
53
1,027
54
749
55
632
56
605
57
507
58
415
59
395
60
164
🌍 African Specialty Grains
🌏 Asian and Middle Eastern Production
🌎 European Specialty Cereals
💪 Nutritional Value and Uses
🌱 Agricultural Characteristics
📈 Market Dynamics
🔮 Market Outlook
Specialty Cereals (Teff, Fonio, Traditional Grains) Production by Country 2025
#
1
5,403,479
5,735,710
5,980,702
6,009,491
6,412,140
6,536,338
6,393,709
2
578,562
528,373
538,197
494,352
540,719
552,226
537,199
3
451,725
386,966
366,490
401,727
385,061
384,426
388,077
4
185,910
226,750
309,580
235,910
244,490
270,210
255,634
5
235,049
237,814
236,094
236,319
236,743
236,385
236,479
6
120,770
117,530
169,700
181,750
218,940
193,970
199,017
7
107,340
106,110
109,840
96,250
75,690
70,820
77,367
8
0
0
69,175
69,729
73,379
74,708
73,314
9
56,525
58,003
58,307
57,612
57,974
57,964
57,897
10
42,807
43,733
42,851
43,130
43,238
43,073
43,134
11
53,540
30,840
37,650
32,660
43,990
36,470
37,964
12
30,436
29,918
30,333
30,229
30,160
30,240
30,214
13
31,000
26,000
28,000
30,000
32,000
28,000
29,600
14
10,942
11,051
29,810
17,547
28,848
31,738
28,033
15
19,761
20,604
22,177
23,729
23,349
22,073
22,787
16
23,450
22,550
29,800
27,060
19,290
19,440
20,919
17
9,738
22,039
19,677
16,205
21,882
21,725
20,668
18
25,300
13,500
16,800
14,300
25,300
19,300
20,100
19
16,817
16,851
16,941
17,101
17,201
17,301
17,231
20
10,770
16,800
17,071
14,880
16,250
16,067
15,885
21
17,650
25,850
31,750
27,860
5,510
13,400
13,925
22
18,441
11,000
10,969
13,086
13,752
13,920
13,703
23
12,902
12,868
12,769
12,810
12,806
12,801
12,804
24
19,761
23,000
21,694
14,737
12,544
11,179
12,300
25
10,986
12,537
17,568
12,611
10,822
12,414
11,976
26
12,500
12,750
12,909
11,758
11,470
11,360
11,472
27
17,850
22,840
9,250
10,790
7,880
12,370
10,707
28
10,219
10,397
10,204
10,273
10,292
10,256
10,270
29
8,080
6,530
10,490
10,510
7,850
8,660
8,787
30
7,902
7,948
8,021
7,932
7,968
7,998
7,976
31
6,110
6,410
9,670
6,120
7,560
7,980
7,482
32
9,366
5,775
7,144
4,568
7,114
8,538
7,317
33
1,440
1,760
2,890
4,010
9,090
7,110
7,084
34
6,933
6,965
6,933
6,944
6,947
6,941
6,943
35
15,140
18,130
20,130
21,500
3,090
2,650
6,552
36
13,000
13,000
12,162
8,965
6,862
5,138
6,421
37
5,628
6,044
6,162
5,944
6,050
6,052
6,030
38
5,257
6,316
8,805
6,638
4,738
6,420
5,959
39
7,115
5,548
5,625
6,178
5,721
5,996
5,950
40
4,048
5,150
5,850
5,900
5,700
4,718
5,249
41
3,994
4,147
4,003
4,048
4,066
4,039
4,049
42
4,710
3,690
4,310
4,570
3,570
3,160
3,565
43
5,490
1,400
1,390
2,730
1,870
4,060
3,137
44
1,880
1,840
1,750
2,020
1,830
3,180
2,543
45
2,459
2,479
2,510
2,517
2,529
2,542
2,533
46
2,301
2,293
2,302
2,286
2,291
2,295
2,292
47
5,408
6,116
4,358
3,387
2,285
1,602
2,164
48
1,380
1,336
1,376
1,331
1,328
1,345
1,337
49
1,170
1,176
1,189
1,204
1,213
1,222
1,215
50
1,279
1,278
1,257
1,238
1,000
1,215
1,155
51
0
1,020
920
720
1,120
1,280
1,120
52
3,100
1,660
1,540
1,480
1,120
840
1,052
53
780
1,000
1,900
1,710
1,000
770
1,027
54
777
793
780
780
782
717
749
55
87
805
825
575
624
659
632
56
880
1,110
810
680
730
500
605
57
673
720
760
42
514
689
507
58
405
409
412
418
413
414
415
59
950
750
300
210
360
490
395
60
158
160
162
163
165
163
164
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most other cereals in the world?
Ethiopia is the world's largest other cereals producer with 6,536,338 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 6,393,709 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 67% of this category's global production. Chad ranks second with 552,226 tonnes, followed by Kazakhstan at 384,426 tonnes. Ethiopia's dominance stems entirely from teff production, the country's most important cereal crop cultivated on over 3 million hectares and forming the dietary foundation through injera flatbread consumed daily by most Ethiopians.
What types of cereals are included in this category?
This category includes cereals not classified elsewhere in FAO statistics, primarily teff (Ethiopia, Eritrea), fonio (West Africa), and various traditional or specialty grains cultivated regionally. It may include ancient grains experiencing renewed cultivation, experimental cereals, and traditional varieties specific to certain countries. The composition varies by country—Ethiopia's production is almost entirely teff, while other countries may produce different specialty grains. This diversity makes the category heterogeneous but important for understanding global grain production beyond major cereals.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 07.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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