The following bar graph shows the data of the production of an item (in thousand tonnes) from four different companies A, B, C and D during the years mentioned.

In the five years given, the average production is highest in company ......... and lowest in company .........., respectively.

From the bar graph,

The average production of company A in five years = $$\frac{23+26+28+25+30}{5}=\frac{132}{5}=26.4$$

The average production of company B in five years = $$\frac{25+29+27+35+31}{5}=\frac{147}{5}=29.4$$

The average production of company C in five years = $$\frac{28+31+36+28+35}{5}=\frac{158}{5}=31.6$$

The average production of company D in five years = $$\frac{32+35+40+46+50}{5}=\frac{203}{5}=40.6$$

$$\therefore\ $$In the five years given, the average production is highest in company D and the lowest in company A

Hence, the correct answer is Option D