Agricultural Exports by Country: The Top 10 Exporters
The United States is the world's largest agricultural exporter, with exports worth around $172.4 billion in 2024. Brazil ranks second with $141.9 billion, followed by the Netherlands at $133.9 billion, according to FAOSTAT trade data.
The other countries in the top 10 are Germany, France, Spain, China, Italy, Canada and Belgium.
However, each country has different strengths when it comes to agricultural exports. Some are major suppliers of grains and oilseeds, while others are known for dairy products, meat, fruits, vegetables and processed foods.
Here is a look at the top 10 agricultural exporting countries, their 2024 export values and the products they are known for.
Top 10 Agricultural Exporting Countries at a Glance
Rank | Country | 2024 Agricultural Exports | Major Export Products |
1 | United States | $172.4 billion | Corn, soybeans, tree nuts, dairy, beef |
2 | Brazil | $141.9 billion | Soybeans, meat, sugar, coffee |
3 | Netherlands | $133.9 billion | Dairy, flowers and plants, meat, cocoa |
4 | Germany | $102.2 billion | Dairy, meat, grain, chocolate |
5 | France | $83.5 billion | Wine and spirits, wheat |
6 | Spain | $74.3 billion | Fruit, vegetables, olive oil, pork |
7 | China | $71.6 billion | Aquatic products, vegetables, fruit |
8 | Italy | $70.5 billion | Wine, fruit and vegetables, cheese, pasta |
9 | Canada | $65.3 billion | Wheat, canola, beef, pork |
10 | Belgium | $62.4 billion | Pork, dairy, frozen fries, chocolate |
How This Ranking Works (and Why the Netherlands Ranks So High)
The figures above include exports of agricultural products and livestock from each country. They count all international sales, including trade between neighbouring European Union (EU) countries.
They also include products that are imported from other countries, repackaged and then exported again. This is one of the main reasons why smaller countries like the Netherlands and Belgium rank so high.
Some other rankings treat the European Union as a single trading bloc and do not count trade between its member countries separately. Based on this approach, the USDA's Economic Research Service lists the EU, United States, Brazil, China and Canada as the five largest agricultural exporters in 2025.
Both rankings are correct, but they use different methods. This article focuses on individual countries and their total agricultural exports.
The Checklist: Top 10 Agricultural Exports by Country
1. United States: $172.4 Billion
The United States ranks first in agricultural exports, mainly due to its large production of grains, oilseeds and meat.
According to the USDA, some of its major agricultural exports in 2025 included corn, soybeans, tree nuts, dairy products and beef. Its total agricultural exports that year were around $171 billion, showing that its strong export performance continued beyond 2024.
Mexico and Canada are the two largest buyers of US agricultural products.
2. Brazil: $141.9 Billion
Brazil is one of the world's leading suppliers of soybeans, meat, sugar and coffee.
The Brazilian government reported agribusiness exports worth $164.4 billion in 2024, with soybeans contributing $53.9 billion, followed by meat at $26.2 billion, sugar and alcohol at $19.7 billion, and coffee at $12.3 billion.
This figure is higher than the value shown in the table because Brazil's wider agribusiness category also includes forestry products.
3. Netherlands: $133.9 Billion
Despite its small size, the Netherlands is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters.
According to Statistics Netherlands, its five largest agricultural export categories in 2024 were:
Dairy products and eggs: €12.3 billion
Flowers and ornamental plants: €11.9 billion
Meat: €10.7 billion
Cocoa products: €9.9 billion
Vegetables: €8.9 billion
The country's strong transport and trading network also plays an important role. The Port of Rotterdam helps the Netherlands import agricultural products from other countries and distribute them across Europe.
In fact, only about two-thirds of Dutch agricultural exports are produced within the Netherlands. The remaining exports include products sourced from other countries and shipped onwards.
4. Germany: $102.2 Billion
Germany exports a wide range of agricultural and food products, including dairy, meat, grains and processed foods.
According to Destatis, milk, milk products and meat are among its major animal-based exports. On the plant-based side, grain, vegetables and milling products are important export categories.
Germany is also the European Union's largest exporter of chocolate and cocoa products, with exports worth €5.8 billion in 2023.
5. France: $83.5 Billion
France is well known for its wine and spirits exports, which contribute significantly to its agricultural trade.
According to FranceAgriMer, the wine and spirits sector recorded a trade surplus of €14.3 billion in 2024. It was the largest trade surplus among French agricultural and food sectors.
Wheat, particularly soft wheat, is another important export product. As noted in the USDA's agricultural report, cereals also play an important role in France's agricultural exports.
However, France's overall agricultural and food trade surplus fell by 26% in 2024 to €3.9 billion.
6. Spain: $74.3 Billion
Spain is one of Europe's major exporters of fresh fruits, vegetables, olive oil and meat.
The country's agriculture ministry reported record agricultural and food exports in 2024.
Fruit, vegetables, beverages and meat together account for almost 60% of Spain's total agricultural and food exports.
Some of its major export products include citrus fruits, wine, pork and olive oil. These products have helped Spain build a strong position in international agricultural markets.
7. China: $71.6 Billion
China's agricultural exports mainly include aquatic products, vegetables, fruits, livestock products and beverages.
According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, these product categories together accounted for 57.3% of China's agricultural exports in 2024.
China ranks seventh among the world's largest agricultural exporters and is the only Asian country in the top 10.
8. Italy: $70.5 Billion
Italy is known for exporting wine, fresh produce, cheese, pasta and olive oil.
According to a Coldiretti analysis of Istat data, Italy's agricultural and food exports reached a record €69.1 billion in 2024.
Wine was the largest export category at €8.1 billion, followed by:
Fresh fruits and vegetables: €6.5 billion
Processed fruits and vegetables: €5.7 billion
Cheese: €5.4 billion
Pasta: €4.3 billion
Olive oil: €2.5 billion
Olive oil exports also recorded a 45% increase compared to the previous year.
9. Canada: $65.3 Billion
Canada is a major exporter of grains and oilseeds, particularly wheat and canola.
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the country's agricultural, food and seafood exports reached a record C$100.3 billion in 2024.
Some of its major export products include non-durum wheat, canola seeds, baked goods, canola oil, soybeans, beef, frozen French fries and pork.
10. Belgium: $62.4 Billion
Belgium completes the list of the world's top 10 agricultural exporters. The country is particularly known for its meat, dairy, frozen potato products and chocolate exports.
According to the Flemish export promotion body VLAM, Belgium exported 690,000 tonnes of pork out of the 945,000 tonnes it produced in 2024. Its dairy exports were worth €5.5 billion.
Belgium is also the European Union's largest exporter of frozen potato products, with exports worth €3.4 billion in 2023. It also ranked second in chocolate exports, at €3.7 billion.
Where India Stands in Global Agricultural Exports
According to the same FAOSTAT ranking, India ranks 16th among the world's largest agricultural exporters, with exports worth around $44 billion.
It is behind Poland (53.8billion),Indonesia(49.9 billion), Mexico (49.4billion),Australia (46.1 billion) and Thailand ($45.3 billion).
The difference between India's agricultural exports and Belgium's, which ranks tenth, is around $18 billion.
India exports a wide range of agricultural products, including spices, turmeric, onions and bananas. Its diverse agricultural production gives international buyers access to several products from different growing regions across the country.
What This Top 10 Means If You're Sourcing Agricultural Goods
The ranking of agricultural exporters gives buyers a useful starting point when looking for suppliers. However, a country's export value alone does not tell you whether it is the right source for a particular product.
Here are three important things to consider:
1. Export ranking does not always mean the product originates there.
Countries like the Netherlands and Belgium export many products that are grown or manufactured elsewhere. These products are imported and then shipped to other markets through their ports.
If you want to identify where a particular agricultural product is grown, check its country of origin rather than looking only at the exporting country.
2. Product specialisation matters more than the overall export ranking.
Different countries are known for different agricultural products. The United States, Brazil and Canada are major suppliers of grains and oilseeds. France, Italy and Germany have strong markets for processed and branded food products. Spain and China are important suppliers of fresh produce and seafood.
Therefore, the right country to source from depends on the product you need and the requirements of your business.
3. International trade conditions can change quickly.
Agricultural trade depends on international demand, government policies and changing trade relationships.
For example, US agricultural exports to China fell by 66% in 2025 to $8.4 billion.
Changes in trade between two major markets can affect suppliers in other countries and create new sourcing opportunities for international buyers.
Conclusion
Choosing the right country for agricultural sourcing depends on more than its export ranking. Importers should consider product availability, country of origin, production capacity, quality standards and the supplier's ability to meet their requirements.
Before finalising a sourcing decision, compare suppliers, check product specifications and request quotations based on your required quantity and destination market. If you are looking to source agricultural products for your business, connect with Ashadhan EXIM to discuss your requirements and explore suitable sourcing opportunities.
Comments