Major Crops Grown in Bolivia

Bolivia's diverse climate zones—from high-altitude Altiplano to tropical lowlands—support a wide range of agricultural production. The country's major crops include:

Staple Grains and Cereals

• Quinoa – Native to the Andes, global superfood boom
• Potatoes – Hundreds of native varieties; dietary staple
• Maize (Corn) – Grown across elevations; key for food/feed
• Wheat – High valleys and temperate zones
• Rice – Lowland tropical regions (Santa Cruz, Beni)
• Barley, Oats – High-altitude adaptation

Major Commercial Crops

• Soybeans – #1 export crop; vast plantations in Santa Cruz
• Sugarcane – Sugar, ethanol, molasses; lowlands
• Cotton – Eastern lowlands
• Sunflower, Sesame – Oilseeds for export

Fruits and Vegetables

• Bananas, Plantains – Tropical zones; local and export
• Citrus – Oranges, mandarins, limes (Yungas valleys)
• Mango, Papaya, Pineapple – Lowland tropics
• Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots, Peppers – Widely cultivated

Root Crops and Tubers

• Cassava (Yuca/Manioc) – Lowland staple, starch source
• Sweet Potato, Oca, Ulluco – Andean traditional crops

Specialty Products

• Coca Leaf – Legal for traditional/medicinal use; controlled
• Coffee (Arabica) – Yungas and Chapare regions
• Cacao – Growing fine-flavor production
• Brazil Nuts – Wild-harvested in Amazon (Pando, Beni)

Bolivia is a global center of origin for potatoes, quinoa, and numerous Andean crops, with agriculture employing ~30% of the workforce.