Based on an annual estimate of approximately 9,000,000,000,000, derived from FAO / USDA.
24,657,534,246
per day
1,027,397,260
per hour
17,123,287
per minute
285,388
per second
750,000,000,000
per month
6,234,321,886,986
so far this year (est.)
Global agriculture harvests trillions of individual plants annually for human food and animal feed. This includes grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes across all continents.
Approximately 36% of global crop calories are fed to livestock rather than directly to humans, representing a significant efficiency loss in the food system.
Growing crops for animal feed uses more agricultural land than crops for direct human consumption, despite producing fewer calories for people.
Food waste means roughly one-third of all crops harvested never reach human consumption, representing wasted land, water, and labour.
Corn is the most produced crop globally, with the majority going to animal feed and ethanol production rather than direct human food.
Approximately 33% of global soils are degraded, with intensive monoculture farming and heavy fertilizer use contributing to declining soil health.
Pollinator populations are declining globally, threatening approximately 35% of crop production that depends on animal pollination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many crops harvested are plants harvested each year?
Based on annual estimates, approximately 9,000,000,000,000 crops harvested are plants harvested globally each year.
How many crops harvested are plants harvested per day?
Approximately 24,657,534,246 crops harvested are plants harvested per day worldwide, based on an annual estimate of 9,000,000,000,000.
How many crops harvested are plants harvested per second?
Approximately 285,388 crops harvested are plants harvested per second — equivalent to 17,123,287 per minute and 1,027,397,260 per hour.
Which region accounts for the largest share of crops harvested plants harvested?
Asia accounts for approximately 45% of global crops harvested plants harvested.
Reference year: Not recorded in this source record
HumanConsumption.Live converts this authoritative annual estimate into a continuously updating rate across the current calendar year. The counter visualizes that pace; it is not a direct real-time measurement from the source organization.