A production method includes a process (I) of heating a cyclic polyarylene sulfide composition under reduced pressure and a process (II) of heating and polymerizing a cyclic polyarylene sulfide composition. This simple method allows for production of a polyarylene sulfide of the higher molecular weight and can produce a polyarylene sulfide having a narrow molecular weight distribution, low gas generation and high industrial usability. Additionally, pelletization after the process (I) can produce a cyclic polyarylene sulfide pellet having ease of conveyance, excellent molding processability, less gas generation amount and high industrial usability.