Millet Production by Country 2025
Millet—the ancient grain making a superfood comeback—thrives across 75 countries with India dominating at 13,507,041 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 12,949,974 tonnes by 2025. with global production of 31,596,315 tonnes in 2023 (up 2.5% from 2022), Niger follows with 3,346,000 tonnes, while China produces 2,700,000 tonnes. These small-seeded cereals (pearl, finger, foxtail, proso) are drought-tolerant climate heroes. Whether you're making Indian ragi mudde, African tô, or trendy millet bowls, these grains deliver nutrition and resilience. From ancient Indus Valley staple to UN's "International Year of Millets 2023," these tiny seeds prove that old grains are the new superfoods!
India's 13.5 million tonnes represents about 40% of global millet production, with pearl millet (bajra) dominating, followed by finger millet (ragi) and foxtail millet. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh lead cultivation. Production shows volatility from 10.2 to 13.5 million tonnes, reflecting monsoon variability. Millets were traditional staples before Green Revolution shifted focus to rice and wheat. Now they're experiencing revival—government promotes millets as "Shree Anna" (superior grains), restaurants serve millet dishes, and health-conscious consumers rediscover these nutritious grains. Challenges include lower yields than rice/wheat, limited processing infrastructure, and changing food preferences. However, climate change and water scarcity favor drought-tolerant millets. Modern breeding creates higher-yielding varieties. The millet mission aims to restore these climate-smart grains to Indian plates! Niger produces 3.3 million tonnes with high volatility (2.1 to 3.9 million), Mali 1.9 million tonnes, Nigeria 1.6 million tonnes, Senegal 1.4 million tonnes, and Burkina Faso 861,039 tonnes. Ethiopia (1.1 million), Sudan (684,000), and Chad (634,079) maintain production. West African Sahel depends on pearl millet as drought-resistant staple—it survives where sorghum and maize fail. Traditional dishes include tô (millet porridge), couscous, and fermented beverages. Challenges include desertification, erratic rainfall, and Striga (parasitic weed). However, millet's resilience makes it food security crop. Modern varieties improve yields while maintaining drought tolerance. The crop feeds millions in regions where climate change threatens other cereals! China produces 2.7 million tonnes, primarily foxtail and proso millets for food and fodder. Nepal (310,847), Pakistan (294,362), and Myanmar (172,000) maintain cultivation. The United States (443,890 tonnes) and Russia (440,000) grow proso millet for birdseed and health food markets! Ukraine (203,520), Kazakhstan (35,070), and Australia (36,624) produce for export. These countries target niche markets—health food stores, gluten-free products, and birdseed. The diversity of producers reflects millet's adaptability to marginal lands and harsh climates. However, production remains modest compared to major cereals. The health food trend drives Western interest in ancient grains! Millets pack protein (10-12%), fiber (8-10%), iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins at 378 calories per 100g. They're gluten-free, low-glycemic, and rich in antioxidants. Different millets offer different benefits: finger millet (ragi) has highest calcium (350mg per 100g!), pearl millet has iron, foxtail millet has protein. Culinary uses span cultures: Indian ragi mudde and bajra roti, African tô and couscous, Asian porridges, and Western millet bowls. The grains cook like rice (1:2.5 ratio, 25-30 minutes) with nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Millet flour makes gluten-free breads and pancakes. Fun fact: millets are actually multiple species from different grass families—not one grain but a category of small-seeded cereals! Millets thrive in hot, dry climates with temperatures 25-35°C and rainfall as low as 200-400mm—they're drought champions! Growing season is 60-120 days depending on variety. Plants have deep roots accessing subsoil moisture and C4 photosynthesis (efficient in heat). Major challenges include Striga (parasitic weed devastating in Africa), birds (love millet seeds!), and blast disease. The crops require minimal inputs—no irrigation, little fertilizer. Modern production uses improved varieties, seed treatments, and bird-scaring methods. Millets fit perfectly in dryland farming and climate-stressed regions. The crops' resilience makes them climate change adaptation strategy. Intercropping with legumes improves nutrition and soil health! Global millet markets value grains at $300-600/tonne for feed-grade, $600-1,200/tonne for food-grade. Organic and specialty millets fetch $1,500-3,000/tonne in health food markets. The gluten-free trend drives Western demand for millet flour, flakes, and ready-to-eat products. Climate change favors drought-tolerant millets over water-intensive rice and wheat. However, processing infrastructure lags—dehulling small seeds is labor-intensive. Retail trends favor millet-based products—breakfast cereals, energy bars, and ancient grain blends. The UN's "International Year of Millets 2023" boosted global awareness. Export markets grow from India and Africa to health-conscious consumers worldwide. Value-added products create opportunities for smallholder farmers! Global millet production should grow 3-5% annually through 2025, driven by climate adaptation and health trends. Water scarcity and temperature extremes favor these resilient grains. The industry invests in improved varieties, processing technology, and market development. Value-added products—millet pasta, breakfast cereals, and protein powders—create new markets. Government support (India's Millet Mission, African initiatives) promotes cultivation and consumption. Sustainability credentials (low water, minimal inputs, carbon-sequestering) align with climate goals. These ancient grains' nutritional excellence and climate resilience position them perfectly for future food security. From forgotten crops to climate heroes, millets prove that sometimes, the solutions to tomorrow's problems are yesterday's staples!🏆 India's Millet Revival
Millet Production by Country 2025
1
12,949,974
2
3,199,429
3
2,712,710
4
1,822,226
5
1,747,256
6
1,213,582
7
1,093,400
8
1,021,039
9
843,912
10
649,572
11
386,021
12
354,027
13
322,551
14
308,500
15
269,352
16
219,251
17
218,492
18
169,932
19
159,500
20
100,000
21
95,824
22
87,700
23
76,044
24
73,055
25
69,500
26
65,525
27
52,505
28
46,475
29
42,207
30
40,290
31
40,200
32
40,156
33
37,584
34
36,565
35
35,852
36
34,679
37
32,500
38
29,003
39
27,194
40
26,769
41
25,000
42
20,170
43
16,008
44
13,853
45
12,361
46
12,268
47
11,431
48
10,743
49
10,000
50
9,915
51
9,619
52
6,870
53
6,331
54
6,000
55
5,300
56
4,165
57
3,807
58
2,731
59
2,565
60
1,796
61
1,276
62
1,252
63
1,000
64
999
65
670
66
495
67
367
68
264
69
251
70
185
71
128
72
107
73
75
74
33
75
5
🌍 African Millet Belt
🌏 Asian and Global Production
💪 Nutritional Powerhouse
🌱 Climate-Smart Cultivation
📈 Superfood Markets
🔮 Climate-Smart Future
Millet Production by Country 2025
#
1
11,633,080
10,235,830
12,488,470
13,208,480
11,849,190
13,507,041
12,949,974
2
3,856,344
3,270,453
3,508,903
2,146,706
3,656,958
3,346,000
3,199,429
3
2,341,800
2,300,000
2,807,000
2,886,400
2,618,100
2,700,000
2,712,710
4
1,840,321
1,878,527
1,921,171
1,487,683
1,844,664
1,942,580
1,822,226
5
1,879,340
1,925,075
1,905,430
1,926,950
1,941,220
1,559,000
1,747,256
6
897,574
807,044
1,144,855
1,039,860
1,097,033
1,353,000
1,213,582
7
2,647,000
1,133,000
1,918,000
901,000
1,904,000
684,000
1,093,400
8
1,035,630
1,125,958
1,218,582
942,197
942,000
1,100,000
1,021,039
9
1,189,079
970,176
957,253
705,344
907,745
861,039
843,912
10
756,616
717,621
686,584
621,367
694,196
634,079
649,572
11
217,200
439,771
396,458
368,296
307,873
440,000
386,021
12
262,970
376,660
217,110
348,860
207,700
443,890
354,027
13
313,987
314,225
320,953
326,443
339,462
310,847
322,551
14
316,194
385,962
325,000
335,000
335,000
282,000
308,500
15
350,010
384,378
266,076
226,317
256,359
294,362
269,352
16
214,747
210,303
213,420
216,579
219,784
220,000
219,251
17
181,564
230,000
236,000
188,000
196,308
244,000
218,492
18
80,460
169,730
256,050
204,990
90,580
203,520
169,932
19
167,372
151,771
145,938
150,000
145,000
172,000
159,500
20
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
21
54,500
104,300
99,100
99,800
77,531
105,209
95,824
22
141,982
72,000
70,000
70,000
129,000
70,000
87,700
23
75,382
76,955
75,671
76,003
76,210
75,961
76,044
24
72,000
135,000
153,000
59,180
59,459
86,762
73,055
25
38,964
29,185
43,411
45,193
51,818
89,831
69,500
26
63,847
66,248
69,465
67,441
70,124
62,000
65,525
27
43,390
50,393
64,786
82,526
45,000
45,000
52,505
28
43,616
33,558
35,851
47,851
48,015
45,000
46,475
29
31,315
44,718
48,931
42,289
41,071
42,856
42,207
30
41,228
39,564
39,953
39,471
40,248
40,643
40,290
31
38,000
38,000
32,000
40,000
39,000
41,000
40,200
32
36,804
40,044
42,888
39,648
37,421
42,000
40,156
33
32,278
24,843
45,005
34,702
24,224
46,753
37,584
34
36,870
36,886
36,848
36,456
36,540
36,624
36,565
35
40,237
42,617
39,852
35,825
37,174
35,070
35,852
36
83,515
9,300
90,829
55,187
44,689
20,470
34,679
37
52,718
51,906
55,000
35,000
35,000
30,000
32,500
38
26,143
26,250
27,294
23,456
23,990
34,229
29,003
39
18,000
19,585
23,917
25,263
28,804
27,000
27,194
40
26,082
26,806
27,237
27,636
27,915
25,735
26,769
41
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
42
33,464
40,545
22,099
22,830
23,515
17,099
20,170
43
19,890
18,016
15,637
14,000
16,184
16,705
16,008
44
13,481
13,324
13,570
14,186
13,693
13,816
13,853
45
12,713
12,781
11,958
12,484
12,408
12,283
12,361
46
12,712
12,028
12,272
12,337
12,212
12,274
12,268
47
8,320
12,748
11,701
12,163
11,750
10,947
11,431
48
10,487
10,158
6,285
11,994
9,481
11,000
10,743
49
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
50
8,117
5,542
6,355
8,413
11,206
9,741
9,915
51
2,254
4,140
5,441
9,508
9,480
9,746
9,619
52
2,792
5,468
4,117
2,607
2,938
10,934
6,870
53
6,320
6,346
6,325
6,330
6,334
6,330
6,331
54
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
55
5,462
5,370
5,198
5,343
5,304
5,281
5,300
56
4,397
4,765
5,711
4,320
4,168
4,101
4,165
57
5,195
4,000
3,469
3,338
7,318
1,888
3,807
58
3,000
3,000
3,000
1,000
3,437
3,000
2,731
59
880
1,610
3,505
3,441
2,407
2,310
2,565
60
2,304
2,714
1,895
1,550
1,913
1,824
1,796
61
2,462
902
7,369
1,773
1,463
965
1,276
62
3,370
3,895
2,050
2,051
1,457
809
1,252
63
1,289
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
64
934
1,469
801
912
866
1,114
999
65
1,071
1,240
1,613
1,122
602
530
670
66
487
498
495
493
495
495
495
67
470
0
222
62
85
658
367
68
12
173
15
624
83
229
264
69
248
252
252
250
251
251
251
70
78
108
155
167
185
192
185
71
221
276
279
276
94
89
128
72
107
109
106
107
107
107
107
73
86
164
320
93
90
58
75
74
33
33
33
33
33
33
33
75
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most millet in the world?
India is the world's largest millet producer with 13,507,041 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 12,949,974 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 40% of global production. Niger ranks second with 3,346,000 tonnes, followed by China at 2,700,000 tonnes. India's production includes pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), and foxtail millet, cultivated primarily in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Millets are experiencing revival in India after decades of neglect, with government promoting them as "Shree Anna" (superior grains) and health-conscious consumers rediscovering these nutritious, drought-tolerant ancient grains.
Why are millets called "climate-smart" crops?
Millets are climate superheroes! They thrive in hot, dry conditions with as little as 200-400mm rainfall—where rice and wheat fail. Deep roots access subsoil moisture, C4 photosynthesis works efficiently in heat, and they mature in 60-120 days (escaping droughts). Millets need minimal inputs—no irrigation, little fertilizer, few pesticides. They tolerate poor soils and temperature extremes. As climate change brings more droughts and heat waves, millets become crucial for food security. They're carbon-sequestering (deep roots store carbon) and water-efficient (use 70% less water than rice!). Plus, they're nutritious—protein, fiber, minerals, gluten-free. That's why UN declared 2023 "International Year of Millets"—these ancient grains are future food security solution!
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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