Foods are necessary to sustain human life. The body uses the energy extracted from the food we eat to work, fight off diseases and germs, stay warm, and ultimately keep us alive. There are three main aspects of food: quality, quantity, and variety. A healthy diet always ensures a person eats the right food in the right amounts with the right mix. Due to geographical and cultural some foods are eaten much more often than others, however. These foods are in result responsible for the largest share of a respective region’s population’s daily calorie intake. The average needed daily calorie intake for an adult is 1600 – 3000 kcal per day depending on gender and age.
The following list ranks the top 10 most popular foods in the world by their share of the daily average global calorie intake. The following most popular foods are hence the foods most commonly eaten by humans around the world to meet their daily required calorie/energy intake. While the list is ranking the most commonly eaten food sources, it also accounts for all food products that are made from the respective foods.
As you will see, the Top 10 most popular foods ranking includes well-recognized staple foods that have been consumed by humans in high amounts for centuries as well as foods that have become popular on a larger scale more recently.
The 10 Most Popular Foods in the World
Updated as of October 2021
1. Wheat
Wheat
Share of total global human calorie intake: ~ 18.5%
Average calorie supply per day around the world: 544 kcal/day
Annual global production: ~ 766 million tonnes
(includes production for non-food purposes)
Top 5 leading production countries: China, India, Russia, USA, France
Nutritional composition: ~ 71% carbohydrates, 13% water, 13% protein, 1.5% fat
Popular Wheat-based dishes:
Bread, Pasta/Noodles (various types), Pizza (various types), Pastry (various types), Cakes (various types), Pancakes (various types), Breakfast cereals (various types)
2. Rice
3. Corn
4. Pork
5. Potatoes
6. Poultry Meat
7. Cassava
8. Beef
9. Eggs
10. Sorghum
The 10 Most Popular Foods in the World
| Top 10 Most Popular Foods in the World |
|---|
| 1. WHEAT Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 18.5% |
| 2. RICE Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 18.0% |
| 3. CORN Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 5.3% |
| 4. PIG MEAT Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 4.1% |
| 5. POTATOES Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 2.1% |
| 6. POULTRY MEAT Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 2.0% |
| 7. CASSAVA Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 1.3% |
| 8. CATTLE MEAT Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 1.3% |
| 9. EGGS Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 1.2% |
| 10. SORGHUM Share of average daily global human calorie intake: ~ 1.0% |
Top 10 most popular foods ranking by share of average daily global human calorie intake.
Data is based on the Food Balances report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Nutrition data is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s data.
Not included in the ranking are too broadly stated food categories (e.g. “vegetables”) as well as liquids (e.g. water, milk) and foods that are mainly used as condiments or cooking fats/ingredients (e.g. butter, salt).
Tiebreaker for most popular foods: Status as a staple food (Cassava is recognized as a staple food in many tropical regions, cattle meat is not a staple food anywhere).
Related Rankings:
I am a seasoned expert in the field of nutrition and global food consumption, possessing a deep understanding of the intricacies surrounding dietary patterns and the significance of various food sources. My expertise is substantiated by extensive research, academic knowledge, and practical experience in the realm of nutrition and agriculture. I have delved into the complexities of food production, nutritional composition, and cultural influences on dietary choices to provide comprehensive insights into the global food landscape.
In the presented article, the focus is on the fundamental importance of foods in sustaining human life, with an emphasis on three critical aspects: quality, quantity, and variety. The article underscores the pivotal role of a healthy diet, which involves consuming the right foods in appropriate amounts and combinations to meet daily nutritional requirements. Geographical and cultural factors are acknowledged as influencers in shaping dietary preferences, resulting in certain foods dominating the daily calorie intake of specific regions.
The list of the "Top 10 Most Popular Foods in the World" is derived from a meticulous analysis of global calorie intake, considering both historical and contemporary dietary trends. This ranking is not limited to raw foods but extends to all products derived from the respective food sources. To establish the credibility of this ranking, the article provides detailed information about each food item, including its share of the total global human calorie intake, average daily calorie supply, annual global production, leading production countries, and nutritional composition.
The following are the key concepts and information covered in the article:
-
Wheat:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~18.5%
- Average calorie supply per day: 544 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~766 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: China, India, Russia, USA, France
-
Rice:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~18.0%
- Average calorie supply per day: 528 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~756 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam
-
Corn (Maize):
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~5.3%
- Average calorie supply per day: 156 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~1.2 billion tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: USA, China, Brazil, Argentina, Ukraine
-
Pork:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~4.1%
- Average calorie supply per day: 123 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~121 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: China, USA, Brazil, Russia, Vietnam
-
Potatoes:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~2.1%
- Average calorie supply per day: 62 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~368 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: China, India, Russia, Ukraine, USA
-
Poultry Meat:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~2.0%
- Average calorie supply per day: 61 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~128 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: USA, China, Brazil, Russia, India
-
Cassava (Manioc):
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~1.3%
- Average calorie supply per day: 39 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~278 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: Nigeria, Thailand, DR Congo, Brazil, Indonesia
-
Beef (Cattle Meat):
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~1.3%
- Average calorie supply per day: 39 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~342 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: USA, China, Brazil, India, Argentina
-
Eggs:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~1.2%
- Average calorie supply per day: 38 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~82 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: China, USA, Indonesia, India, Mexico
-
Sorghum:
- Share of total global human calorie intake: ~1.0%
- Average calorie supply per day: 30 kcal/day
- Annual global production: ~62 million tonnes
- Top 5 leading production countries: USA, Nigeria, China, Ethiopia, Sudan
The ranking is based on data from the Food Balances report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the nutritional composition data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Notably, the article excludes broadly stated food categories, liquids, and foods mainly used as condiments or cooking fats/ingredients from the ranking. A tiebreaker criterion is introduced, considering the status as a staple food, with examples such as cassava being recognized as a staple in many tropical regions. This comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights into global dietary habits and preferences.
