| Rank | Country | Production (MT) | Share % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 312,605 | 20.8 | |
| 2 | Australia | 0 | 15 | Major supplier of oaten and other cereal hays plus some alfalfa; exports concentrated from southern and western grainbelt regions into Northeast Asia and the Gulf, with strong seasonality and drought exposure.[1][6] |
| 2 | China | 121,171 | 8.1 | |
| 3 | Spain | 0 | 10 | Key EU exporter of dehydrated alfalfa and sun‑dried hay from the Ebro and other irrigated basins, supplying high‑protein cubes and bales primarily to the Middle East and North Africa.[1][6] |
| 3 | Morocco | 83,818 | 5.6 | |
| 4 | Tunisia | 83,137 | 5.5 | |
| 5 | Italy | 0 | 7 | Exports dehydrated and baled alfalfa and mixed hays from northern irrigated regions, serving Middle Eastern dairy and camel markets with high‑spec forage.[1][6] |
| 5 | Taiwan | 77,258 | 5.2 |
Major importers
- United States Largest global exporter of alfalfa and grass hay; West Coast states (Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada) dominate export‑grade production, with containerized shipments from Pacific ports to Asia and bulk to the Middle East.[1][2][3]
- Canada Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia) ships timothy and alfalfa hays into the U.S. and Asia; Eastern Canada also exports specialty hays while the U.S. simultaneously imports Canadian hay for border dairies.[1][3][4]
- China Large domestic alfalfa and grass hay producer for a rapidly expanding dairy sector, but still a net importer; imported hay supplements constrained irrigated forage resources in northern and western provinces.[1][2][6]