As the title and flavor text indicate, this puzzle relies on finding the countries which rank first in each of the listed categories, which given in alphabetical order by the name of the country.
Alphabet Length – Cambodia
Pineapple Production – Costa Rica
Coffee Consumption (per person) – Finland
Cinnamon Production – Indonesia
Saffron Production – Iran
Life Expectancy – Japan
Ice Cream Consumption (per person) – New Zealand
Languages Spoken – Papua New Guinea
Land Area – Russia
Military Spending – United States of America
Each of the countries has a different length name, which means they fit uniquely into the grid
Reading down one of the two unbroken columns gives the word POPULATION. Repeating the mechanic of the puzzle, the country which ranks first in population is CHINA, the final answer.