Annual Global Production Of Yerba Maté

Annual Production

Ilex paraguariensis (Organic Yerba Maté), from the family of holy plants, Aquifoliaceae, is a tree used to produce organic Yerba Maté leaves. Which in turn are dried via smoke or unsmoked methods. It is found in the southern regions of South America, Southern Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo), Northern Argentina (Corrientes, Misiones), Paraguay (Alto Parana, Amambay, Caaguazu, Canendiyu, Central, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, San Pedro), and Uruguay (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2007). Of these regions, Argentina is the largest producer, cultivating around 152,000 hectares or 375,440 acres of both organic and conventional Yerba Maté per year in the north part of the country (Misiones State and Corrientes State). This is equal to approximately 280 thousand metric tons (1 metric ton is 1000 kilos equal to 2,200 pounds) or 308 thousand standard tons per year, representing a large portion of the countries gross domestic product. Brazil and Paraguay are the 2nd and 3rd largest producers. Worldwide, 290 thousand hectares of area harvested with a production of 874,678 metric tons of both organic and conventional Yerba Maté were reported in 2002 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The overall value of Yerba Maté production around the world is estimated at $1.4 billion usd in 2004.