Eggplants (aubergines) Production by Country 2025
The glossy purple eggplant (or aubergine if you're feeling fancy) dominates global vegetable production with China leading at a staggering 39,244,168 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 38,583,041 tonnes by 2025. The world produced 60,793,937 tonnes in 2023, expanding 1.6% year-on-year. India follows with 12,792,000 tonnes, while Egypt produces 1,859,439 tonnes. This versatile nightshade spans 98 countries, from Mediterranean gardens to Asian mega-farms. Whether you call it eggplant, aubergine, brinjal, or melanzana, this spongy vegetable soaks up flavors like a culinary chameleon—starring in everything from Italian parmigiana to Middle Eastern baba ganoush, Chinese stir-fries to Indian baingan bharta.
China's 39.2 million tonnes represents a whopping 64% of global eggplant production, with steady growth from 34.5 million in 2018. Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces lead cultivation, producing dozens of varieties from long slender types to round purple globes. Chinese cuisine embraces eggplant in countless dishes—yu xiang qie zi (fish-fragrant eggplant), red-braised eggplant, and cold eggplant salads. The country's greenhouse technology allows year-round production, while traditional field cultivation dominates summer months. Domestic consumption absorbs most output, though processed eggplant exports (frozen, pickled) are growing. Challenges include verticillium wilt disease, flea beetles, and maintaining soil health in intensive production areas. Modern farms increasingly adopt grafted seedlings for disease resistance. India produces 12.8 million tonnes with remarkable stability, cultivating hundreds of regional varieties from tiny green brinjals to large purple ones. Bangladesh contributes 681,196 tonnes with rapid growth, while Pakistan adds 139,229 tonnes and Sri Lanka 135,087 tonnes. South Asian cuisine revolves around eggplant—baingan bharta (roasted mash), begun bhaja (fried slices), and countless curries. The region faces challenges from eggplant fruit and shoot borer causing 50-70% losses in untreated fields. Bt brinjal (genetically modified for pest resistance) remains controversial in India but is adopted in Bangladesh. Smallholder farmers dominate production on 0.2-1 hectare plots. Egypt's production exploded from 1.2 million to 1.9 million tonnes, driven by export opportunities and domestic demand. Türkiye produces 817,591 tonnes, Italy 317,980 tonnes, and Spain 260,410 tonnes. Mediterranean cuisine showcases eggplant brilliantly—Italian melanzane alla parmigiana, Greek moussaka, Turkish imam bayildi, and Middle Eastern baba ganoush. Iran (596,545 tonnes), Syria (129,877 tonnes), and Jordan (74,087 tonnes) maintain strong production despite regional challenges. European production emphasizes quality over quantity, with protected cultivation extending seasons. North African countries like Algeria (220,055 tonnes) and Morocco (109,319 tonnes) combine traditional and modern methods. Eggplants are low-calorie champions at just 25 calories per 100g, making them diet-friendly despite their ability to absorb oil like a sponge! They provide fiber, vitamins B1 and B6, potassium, and nasunin—a powerful antioxidant in the purple skin that may protect brain cells. The spongy texture comes from air pockets in the flesh, perfect for absorbing marinades and sauces. Culinary uses span the globe: grilled, roasted, fried, stuffed, pureed, or pickled. Salting before cooking (degorging) reduces bitterness and oil absorption. From Japanese nasu dengaku to Lebanese makdous (stuffed pickled eggplant), this vegetable adapts to every cuisine. Pro tip: don't peel it—the skin contains most nutrients! Eggplants are tropical divas demanding warmth—they thrive at 21-30°C and sulk below 15°C. Growing season spans 100-140 days from transplanting. They need full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture. Most production uses transplanted seedlings rather than direct seeding. Major challenges include verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, flea beetles, spider mites, and the devastating fruit and shoot borer. Grafting onto disease-resistant rootstocks (often tomato or wild eggplant relatives) improves yields and extends production. Greenhouse cultivation allows controlled environments but requires careful pollination management. Organic production faces pest control challenges, relying on neem oil, row covers, and beneficial insects. Global eggplant markets value fresh produce at $300-700/tonne depending on quality and variety. Specialty varieties (white, striped, mini) command premiums in Western markets. Asian markets prefer long slender types, while Western markets favor large globe varieties. Organic eggplants fetch 30-50% premiums. The vegetable's short shelf life (7-10 days) challenges distribution. Climate change brings heat stress and irregular rainfall affecting fruit set. Labor-intensive harvesting (2-3 times weekly) increases costs. Retail trends favor pre-sliced, ready-to-cook formats. Export markets grow for specialty varieties, particularly from Spain and Netherlands to Northern Europe. Processing into frozen, pickled, and dried products creates value-added opportunities. Global production should grow 3-4% annually through 2025, driven by Asian population growth and Western culinary exploration. Specialty varieties—white, green, striped, and mini eggplants—gain popularity in gourmet markets. Climate-adapted varieties help farmers cope with heat stress and water scarcity. The industry invests in grafting technology, integrated pest management, and protected cultivation. Bt brinjal adoption may expand despite controversy, offering pesticide reduction. Value-added products—eggplant chips, dips, and frozen preparations—create new markets. Plant-based diet trends boost eggplant as meat substitute (eggplant "bacon," anyone?). Sustainability focus drives reduced pesticide use and water-efficient drip irrigation. This versatile vegetable's culinary adaptability and nutritional profile position it well for future food trends, though production must balance tradition with innovation.🏆 China's Purple Dominance
Eggplants (aubergines) Production by Country 2025
🌏 South Asian Brinjal Belt
🌍 Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Traditions
💪 Nutritional Sponge with Benefits
🌱 Heat-Loving Cultivation
📈 Market Dynamics and Variety Explosion
🔮 Colorful Future Ahead
Eggplants (aubergines) Production by Country 2025
#
1
34,482,916
35,590,700
36,575,581
37,382,974
38,281,208
39,244,168
38,583,041
2
12,801,000
12,680,000
12,682,000
12,874,000
12,765,000
12,792,000
12,800,300
3
1,179,173
1,347,230
1,278,350
1,414,860
1,972,593
1,859,439
1,804,469
4
836,284
822,659
835,422
832,938
781,242
817,591
809,756
5
551,529
575,392
618,202
676,339
691,738
699,896
692,738
6
516,007
530,610
558,000
587,000
618,542
681,196
643,561
7
605,597
594,136
595,336
598,356
595,943
596,545
596,727
8
298,310
300,620
304,690
306,440
307,430
317,980
312,507
9
300,400
301,700
297,000
297,700
294,600
282,455
289,148
10
238,330
245,150
282,200
265,290
276,320
260,410
266,159
11
244,838
249,890
242,730
244,035
248,151
238,597
242,551
12
73,900
169,200
188,000
210,300
203,889
225,581
216,017
13
181,618
184,145
178,417
192,893
205,106
220,055
210,138
14
170,901
154,807
180,002
165,033
141,122
129,877
140,282
15
129,212
134,863
141,882
129,516
128,249
135,087
131,921
16
104,402
136,749
207,202
215,687
183,056
63,170
129,639
17
95,233
108,065
125,054
128,413
125,193
130,758
128,620
18
87,587
89,724
100,184
106,177
95,001
139,229
119,350
19
25,384
50,344
109,138
112,000
118,850
118,956
117,533
20
80,528
81,644
99,841
92,801
106,845
105,635
103,431
21
179,656
185,234
112,195
125,531
107,051
90,457
102,450
22
98,484
98,223
98,973
98,560
98,585
98,706
98,641
23
102,995
106,085
109,052
107,512
88,056
86,470
91,154
24
79,724
81,479
80,636
88,932
91,674
90,433
90,505
25
52,754
68,266
60,913
81,044
60,998
109,319
89,168
26
87,149
89,093
88,429
88,223
88,582
88,411
88,425
27
79,533
77,499
83,186
94,292
89,265
82,714
86,995
28
88,150
79,660
88,420
95,860
64,560
64,850
70,965
29
61,254
55,630
57,356
72,307
64,162
74,087
70,754
30
55,000
62,000
65,000
63,000
66,000
60,000
62,400
31
49,247
48,490
49,060
63,499
61,431
55,963
59,110
32
51,300
43,900
62,408
65,122
57,348
56,400
58,429
33
51,394
51,420
51,391
51,402
51,404
51,399
51,401
34
48,741
49,019
49,369
49,520
49,731
49,942
49,794
35
47,992
46,147
46,411
47,032
48,000
48,066
47,840
36
70,940
54,910
60,980
60,030
44,500
41,420
46,066
37
51,404
49,154
47,431
51,194
39,522
43,447
43,819
38
0
0
39,786
42,732
46,129
39,645
42,207
39
31,990
29,570
57,060
44,260
42,480
40,690
41,941
40
68,510
66,420
67,910
59,480
30,350
32,680
37,341
41
29,242
30,554
32,031
34,042
35,095
36,663
35,669
42
34,561
34,874
35,344
33,988
34,558
33,764
34,047
43
31,491
31,122
34,680
35,425
33,890
33,228
33,866
44
26,851
27,821
24,741
24,597
25,389
29,336
27,204
45
32,214
30,895
39,226
36,349
38,004
16,735
27,038
46
33,740
31,630
26,980
26,900
27,040
25,851
26,418
47
20,629
20,927
21,236
20,931
21,032
21,066
21,029
48
20,859
26,982
20,571
17,761
20,814
21,517
20,555
49
17,000
19,000
20,563
18,915
18,957
19,328
19,134
50
27,602
39,385
21,596
17,047
16,569
19,300
18,030
51
13,487
14,919
15,260
15,844
16,413
16,199
16,192
52
8,512
11,029
16,363
15,878
15,042
16,018
15,697
53
5,658
6,944
16,569
15,556
13,584
14,918
14,646
54
10,120
10,580
11,400
14,160
13,800
12,280
13,112
55
6,850
5,660
6,500
10,160
5,390
15,730
11,514
56
2,902
5,392
5,770
6,248
10,702
10,784
9,852
57
11,260
11,180
9,920
7,800
9,690
10,240
9,587
58
2,424
2,526
4,147
4,689
7,128
8,651
7,402
59
5,022
5,401
4,183
4,832
6,196
6,202
5,926
60
5,049
4,969
5,062
5,027
5,019
5,036
5,029
61
4,725
4,848
4,798
4,700
4,653
4,605
4,638
62
4,278
4,406
4,363
4,349
4,372
4,361
4,362
63
0
0
0
0
0
8,698
4,349
64
2,495
3,385
3,496
3,093
3,165
4,860
3,998
65
3,700
4,400
4,100
3,000
2,900
5,000
3,970
66
2,649
2,688
2,649
2,662
2,666
2,659
2,662
67
1,540
1,500
2,900
2,880
2,782
2,468
2,645
68
1,394
1,418
1,500
2,201
2,390
2,500
2,407
69
2,193
2,224
2,196
2,204
2,208
2,203
2,205
70
2,054
2,054
2,049
2,056
2,056
2,055
2,056
71
1,813
1,830
1,808
1,817
1,818
1,814
1,816
72
1,130
1,170
1,420
1,810
1,770
1,240
1,513
73
0
0
500
2,400
900
1,400
1,450
74
1,710
1,230
1,340
1,310
1,310
1,460
1,385
75
0
0
0
0
1,500
1,680
1,290
76
488
1,467
2,325
1,334
886
1,051
1,058
77
990
800
830
1,060
740
1,200
1,034
78
966
1,007
1,016
1,017
925
1,031
996
79
995
964
972
977
971
973
973
80
855
856
859
860
862
864
863
81
840
860
850
730
820
900
842
82
717
705
712
711
709
711
710
83
555
614
564
636
640
643
641
84
503
492
500
499
497
498
498
85
385
357
352
423
460
405
425
86
476
356
426
491
296
372
373
87
330
500
550
420
340
320
346
88
283
292
341
298
211
290
268
89
245
300
429
303
197
164
201
90
183
146
198
124
153
166
154
91
119
135
161
138
128
140
136
92
100
100
102
101
102
102
102
93
98
99
98
98
98
98
98
94
57
58
58
58
59
61
60
95
122
82
34
33
35
82
58
96
0
0
20
20
20
20
20
97
0.39
0.56
0.57
0.56
0.55
0.58
0.57
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most eggplants (aubergines) in the world?
China is the world's largest eggplants producer with 39,244,168 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 38,583,041 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 64% of global production. India ranks second with 12,792,000 tonnes, maintaining stable production of hundreds of regional brinjal varieties. Egypt ranks third at 1,859,439 tonnes, showing explosive growth from 1.2 million tonnes in 2018. China's production concentrates in Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces, with greenhouse technology enabling year-round cultivation. The country produces dozens of varieties from long slender types to round purple globes, with domestic consumption absorbing most output in countless Chinese dishes.
Why do eggplants absorb so much oil when cooking?
Eggplants are cellular sponges! Their flesh contains numerous air pockets that create the characteristic spongy texture, which readily absorbs liquids including oil during cooking. This can be both blessing and curse—great for absorbing marinades and flavors, but problematic when frying. To reduce oil absorption: salt sliced eggplant and let sit 30 minutes (draws out moisture and collapses air pockets), rinse and pat dry before cooking; brush with oil rather than frying in it; roast or grill instead of frying; or use the microwave to partially cook before finishing in pan. Some cooks prefer younger, smaller eggplants which contain fewer seeds and less spongy tissue. The oil absorption capacity makes eggplant perfect for dishes like baba ganoush where you want maximum flavor penetration!
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: 13.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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