Land under wheat production in Lesotho
Lesotho: Land under wheat production was 20,136 hectares in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Land under wheat production in Lesotho, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 20,136 hectares for land under wheat production in 2011.
The figure is up 47.1% on the previous year and down 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, land under wheat production in Lesotho peaked at 106,392 hectares in 1972 and was at its lowest, 9,165 hectares, in 2007.
That places Lesotho 15th out of 32 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Land under wheat production in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 66,532 hectares | — |
| 1962 | 70,000 hectares | +5.2% |
| 1963 | 70,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 70,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 69,800 hectares | -0.3% |
| 1966 | 71,200 hectares | +2.0% |
| 1967 | 73,400 hectares | +3.1% |
| 1968 | 82,700 hectares | +12.7% |
| 1969 | 95,200 hectares | +15.1% |
| 1970 | 87,724 hectares | -7.9% |
| 1971 | 95,030 hectares | +8.3% |
| 1972 | 106,392 hectares | +12.0% |
| 1973 | 75,000 hectares | -29.5% |
| 1974 | 76,592 hectares | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 55,118 hectares | -28.0% |
| 1976 | 55,872 hectares | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 41,676 hectares | -25.4% |
| 1978 | 42,610 hectares | +2.2% |
| 1979 | 35,307 hectares | -17.1% |
| 1980 | 28,952 hectares | -18.0% |
| 1981 | 19,932 hectares | -31.2% |
| 1982 | 23,894 hectares | +19.9% |
| 1983 | 29,004 hectares | +21.4% |
| 1984 | 29,513 hectares | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 36,270 hectares | +22.9% |
| 1986 | 19,028 hectares | -47.5% |
| 1987 | 27,603 hectares | +45.1% |
| 1988 | 29,904 hectares | +8.3% |
| 1989 | 43,650 hectares | +46.0% |
| 1990 | 40,851 hectares | -6.4% |
| 1991 | 34,933 hectares | -14.5% |
| 1992 | 13,816 hectares | -60.5% |
| 1993 | 11,088 hectares | -19.7% |
| 1994 | 28,472 hectares | +156.8% |
| 1995 | 17,195 hectares | -39.6% |
| 1996 | 22,186 hectares | +29.0% |
| 1997 | 20,700 hectares | -6.7% |
| 1998 | 20,014 hectares | -3.3% |
| 1999 | 20,880 hectares | +4.3% |
| 2000 | 23,744 hectares | +13.7% |
| 2001 | 24,740 hectares | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 36,599 hectares | +47.9% |
| 2003 | 37,092 hectares | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 25,335 hectares | -31.7% |
| 2005 | 19,072 hectares | -24.7% |
| 2006 | 22,663 hectares | +18.8% |
| 2007 | 9,165 hectares | -59.6% |
| 2008 | 15,405 hectares | +68.1% |
| 2009 | 21,365 hectares | +38.7% |
| 2010 | 13,693 hectares | -35.9% |
| 2011 | 20,136 hectares | +47.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 20,136 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 28,884 hectares, 70% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 20,136 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9,844 hectares, 2.0× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 74,315 hectares | 66,532 hectares | 95,200 hectares | 9 |
| 1970s | 67,132 hectares | 35,307 hectares | 106,392 hectares | 10 |
| 1980s | 28,775 hectares | 19,028 hectares | 43,650 hectares | 10 |
| 1990s | 23,014 hectares | 11,088 hectares | 40,851 hectares | 10 |
| 2000s | 23,518 hectares | 9,165 hectares | 37,092 hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | 16,914 hectares | 13,693 hectares | 20,136 hectares | 2 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More agriculture & rural data for Lesotho
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 5.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0649 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 70.63 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.6715 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0005 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.5533 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 6.5% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 6.5% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 5.1% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 2.0% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is land under wheat production in Lesotho?
- Land under wheat production in Lesotho was 20,136 hectares in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.
- What is the highest land under wheat production recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 106,392 hectares in 1972.
- What is the lowest land under wheat production recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 9,165 hectares in 2007.
- How does Lesotho rank for land under wheat production?
- Lesotho ranks 15th out of 32 countries with data for 2011.
- Is land under wheat production rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site, published as part of Land under wheat production (hectares). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Land under wheat production refers to harvested area, although some countries report only sown or cultivated area. Production data on relate to crop harvested for dry grain only. Crop harvested for hay or harvested green for food, feed, or silage and those used for grazing are excluded.