Millet is a small-seeded ancient grain known as “Nutri-cereals,” rich in dietary nutrients, fiber, and essential minerals.
Pearl millet was first cultivated in Africa’s Western Sahel around 2800 BC and spread to the Indus Valley through ancient trade routes. Although many kinds of millet exist, such as foxtail millet and proso millet, pearl millet remains the most widely produced.
Millet is an incredibly resilient crop that thrives in hot, semi-arid regions, which is why it is mostly produced in Africa and South Asia, with India being its largest producer. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), global millet production reached 30.05 million metric tons in the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY).
This article covers the largest millet-producing countries, their global share, harvested area, and crop yield, and explores historical output fluctuations.
Here’s the list of the largest millet producers by country:
Annual millet production by country in 2025/2026, by USDA
| Country | Total Production (Metric Tons) | % Share of Global Production |
|---|---|---|
 India | 13.23 Million | 44% |
 Niger | 3.32 Million | 11% |
 China | 2.7 Million | 9% |
 Mali | 1.79 Million | 6% |
 Nigeria | 1.55 Million | 5.2% |
 Ethiopia | 1.18 Million | 3.9% |
 Burkina Faso | 900,000 | 3% |
 Sudan | 750,000 | 2.5% |
 Senegal | 693,000 | 2.3% |
 Chad | 630,000 | 2.1% |
1. India
India accounts for the world's largest millet output in 2025/2026, with 13.23 million metric tons harvested. The South Asian country is responsible for a 44% share of global millet output. India harvested 8.7 million hectares of millet, producing a yield of 1.5163 metric tons per hectare (MT/HA). The previous marketing year (2024/2025), however, saw a higher output of 13.64 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 12.42 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Year-over-year change: -3%
2. Niger
Niger is the second-largest millet producer in the world, with a total output of 3.32 million metric tons in MY 2025/2026. The West African country recorded an 11% share in global millet production and an annual crop yield of 0.4882 MT/HA. According to the USDA, the harvested area for millet cultivation is around 6.8 million hectares. In the previous marketing year, Niger’s millet production was estimated at 3.84 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 3.44 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -2%
- Year-over-year change: -13%
3. China
In MY 2025/2026, China produced 2.7 million metric tons of millet with a global production share of 9%. The Asian country harvested 900,000 hectares for millet production, with an annual crop yield of 3 metric tons per hectare. For MY 2024/2025, China’s millet production was reported by USDA at 2.7 million metric tons - exactly the same as the current marketing year.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 2.62 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Year-over-year change: 0%
4. Mali
With 1.79 million metric tons of millet harvested in the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY), Mali contributed 6% of the world’s production. In 2025/2026, the country’s total crop harvested area is 2.1 million hectares, generating a yield of 0.8524 MT/HA. Last year, USDA noted Mali’s total millet production at 1.99 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 1.8 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.09%
- Year-over-year change: -10%
5. Nigeria
Nigeria produced about 1.55 million metric tons of millet in MY 2025/2026, accounting for 5.2% of global production. The country’s total millet-harvested area is 1.6 million hectares, with a yield of 0.9936 MT/HA. Nigeria’s total millet output was the same as in the previous marketing year.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 1.73 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.02%
- Year-over-year change: 0%
6. Ethiopia
Ethiopia produced 1.18 million metric tons of millet in the marketing year (MY) 2025/2026, according to the USDA. The nation’s millet production volume accounts for about 3.9% of global output. The annual area harvested for millet in Ethiopia is 445,000 hectares, generating a yield of 2.6404 MT/HA in MY 2025/2026. The previous year recorded a production of 1.13 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 1.1 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Year-over-year change: 4%
7. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's global millet contribution is 3% in MY 2025/2026, with 900,000 metric tons of millet output, making it the world's seventh-largest millet producer. In MY 2025/26, the total harvested area covered 1.1 million hectares. The country’s yield for the current marketing year stood at 0.8182 MT/HA. Compared with the previous year, Burkina Faso reported no change in total millet production.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 912,300 metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.06%
- Year-over-year change: 0%
8. Sudan
With 750,000 metric tons of millet produced, Sudan accounted for 2.5% of global output. The transcontinental country in Northeast Africa, Sudan, harvested 2.5 million hectares, yielding 0.3 MT/HA in MY 2025/2026. The nation reported higher millet output in 2024/2025, at 793,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 1.31 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -6%
- Year-over-year change: -5%
9. Senegal
In the current marketing year 2025/2026, Senegal's millet output is around 693,000 metric tons, making up 2.3% of global production. The annual area harvested for the millet crop is 680,000 hectares, with a yield of 1.0191 MT/HA. USDA observed Senegal’s millet production at 675,000 metric tons for the 2024/2025 MY.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 870,200 metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.09%
- Year-over-year change: 3%
10. Chad
With 630,000 metric tons of millet production, Chad ranks tenth in worldwide millet production. The country’s output represents a 2.1% share globally in the marketing year 2025/2026. According to the USDA, the annual area harvested for millet is 1.2 million hectares, and the crop yield is 0.5339 MT/HA. During 2024/2025, Chad’s millet output reached 619,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production metrics (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 674,600 metric tons
- Compound average growth: -1%
- Year-over-year change: 2%
