The humble duck, a staple in cuisines and agricultural systems worldwide, shows a fascinating distribution pattern according to the 2023 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The numbers reveal striking geographic concentrations and cultural preferences that shape global poultry production.
Top Countries by Duck Population (2023)
| Country | Flag | Population |
|---|---|---|
| China | 🇨🇳 | 820,000,000 |
| Vietnam | 🇻🇳 | 87,645,000 |
| Bangladesh | 🇧🇩 | 66,016,000 |
| Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | 59,838,000 |
| India | 🇮🇳 | 33,500,000 |
| Russia | 🇷🇺 | 21,840,000 |
| France | 🇫🇷 | 18,988,000 |
| Thailand | 🇹🇭 | 15,504,000 |
| Philippines | 🇵🇭 | 13,519,000 |
| Myanmar | 🇲🇲 | 11,500,000 |
| Malaysia | 🇲🇾 | 9,572,000 |
| Cambodia | 🇰🇭 | 8,878,000 |
| Ukraine | 🇺🇦 | 8,848,000 |
| United States | 🇺🇸 | 7,996,000 |
| Taiwan | 🇹🇼 | 7,283,000 |
| North Korea | 🇰🇵 | 7,199,000 |
| Poland | 🇵🇱 | 6,932,000 |
| South Korea | 🇰🇷 | 6,538,000 |
| Madagascar | 🇲🇬 | 4,614,000 |
| Egypt | 🇪🇬 | 4,557,000 |
Asia’s Overwhelming Dominance
China stands as the undisputed duck capital of the world with a staggering 820,000,000 birds – representing nearly 10 times the population of the second-place country. This extraordinary number highlights the central role of duck in Chinese cuisine, agricultural traditions, and economy. From Peking duck to salted duck eggs, these birds are deeply integrated into China’s culinary heritage.
Vietnam follows at a distant second with 87,645,000 ducks, while Bangladesh rounds out the top three with 66,016,000. The pattern is clear: Asia completely dominates global duck farming, with nine of the top ten producers located in the region.
Southeast Asia’s Duck Belt
The data reveals what could be called a “duck belt” across Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, Indonesia (59,838,000), Thailand (15,504,000), Philippines (13,519,000), Myanmar (11,500,000), Malaysia (9,572,000), and Cambodia (8,878,000) all ranking high on the list. This regional concentration reflects the perfect combination of climate conditions, agricultural practices, and cuisine preferences that favor duck husbandry.
Rice-duck farming systems are particularly common in this region, where ducks serve multiple purposes – controlling pests in rice paddies while providing eggs and meat. This integrated farming approach represents one of the oldest and most sustainable agricultural systems in the world.
Notable European Representation
France stands as the only European nation in the top ten, ranking 7th with 18,988,000 ducks. This position reflects France’s renowned culinary traditions involving duck, particularly foie gras and confit de canard. Despite stricter animal welfare regulations than many Asian counterparts, France maintains a significant duck industry focused on high-value products.
Surprising Placements
Several placements on the list might surprise casual observers. The United States ranks relatively low at 14th place (7,996,000), despite being a major player in other livestock categories. This likely reflects different consumer preferences, with chicken and turkey dominating the American poultry market.
North Korea’s appearance at 16th place (7,199,000) is noteworthy, given the country’s general agricultural challenges and limited international reporting. It suggests that duck farming may represent an important protein source in the nation’s food security strategy.
Madagascar’s presence in 19th place (4,614,000) demonstrates how duck farming has been successfully adopted in regions beyond its traditional strongholds.
Economic and Cultural Significance
Duck production represents more than just numbers – it reflects deep cultural traditions and economic realities. In many Asian countries, ducks are valued for their adaptability to wet environments, efficient feed conversion, and multiple outputs (meat, eggs, and down). Their ability to thrive on agricultural byproducts and forage makes them particularly valuable in subsistence and small-scale farming systems.
The global duck industry continues to evolve, with growing interest in specialty breeds, organic production, and welfare-focused systems in Western markets, while Asia maintains its traditional prominence through sheer volume and cultural preference.
These 2023 figures provide a fascinating window into the geographic and cultural patterns that shape global duck husbandry, highlighting both ancient traditions and modern agricultural priorities across the world.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2023