7 Facts About Global Wheat Production You Need to Know

Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world, providing food, feed, and raw materials for various industries. But how much do you know about the global production of wheat? Here are seven facts that will give you some insights into this vital commodity.

1. Wheat is the second-most-produced cereal grain in the world

Wheat is the second-most-produced cereal grain in the world, after maize. In 2020, the total global production of wheat was 760 million tons, according to the World Population Review .

2. China, India, and Russia are the three largest individual wheat producers

China, India, and Russia are the three largest individual wheat producers in the world, accounting for about 41% of the world’s total wheat production. China alone produced 134 million tons of wheat in 2020, followed by India with 108 million tons and Russia with 86 million tons .

3. The European Union would be the second-largest wheat producer

The European Union, if counted as a single country, would be the second-largest wheat producer in the world, after China. The EU produced 127 million tons of wheat in 2020, with France, Germany, and Poland being the top three wheat-producing countries in the bloc .

4. Wheat is grown in a variety of climates and soils

Wheat is grown in a variety of climates and soils, but it thrives best in temperate regions that receive between 12 and 36 inches (30 to 90 centimeters) of rainfall. Wheat can be classified into two major types: winter wheat and spring wheat, depending on the planting and harvesting seasons .

5. Wheat is mainly used for human consumption

Wheat is mainly used for human consumption, especially for making bread, pasta, cereal, pastries, and other products. About three-quarters of the milled wheat becomes flour, which can be further processed into different types of breads and baked goods .

6. Wheat is also used for animal feed

Wheat is also used for animal feed, especially for poultry and pigs. Wheat bran, a by-product of milling, is rich in fiber and minerals and can be mixed with other feed ingredients to improve the nutritional value of animal diets.

7. Wheat is also a source of starch, malt, dextrose, gluten, alcohol, and other products

Wheat is also a source of starch, malt, dextrose, gluten, alcohol, and other products that are used in various industries such as food processing, brewing, paper making, textile manufacturing, and biofuel production .

These are some of the facts about global wheat production that you need to know. Wheat is a versatile and valuable crop that contributes to food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability around the world.

Global Wheat Production: Trends and Challenges

Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world, providing food and feed for billions of people and animals. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global wheat production reached a record high of 779 million metric tons in 2020/2021, up from 762 million metric tons in 2019/2020. However, wheat production also faces many challenges, such as climate change, pests and diseases, water scarcity, and market volatility. In this blog post, we will explore some of the trends and challenges of global wheat production, based on the latest statistics and reports.

Wheat Production by Region and Country

The main regions that produce wheat are Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Asia is the largest wheat producer, accounting for about 46% of the global production in 2020/2021. China and India are the top two wheat producers in the world, with 134 million metric tons and 108 million metric tons respectively. Russia is the third largest wheat producer, with 86 million metric tons, followed by the United States with 50 million metric tons. Australia is the fifth largest wheat producer, with 15 million metric tons.

The following table shows the top 10 wheat producing countries in 2020/2021, according to the FAO:

Country	Production (million metric tons)
China	134
India	108
Russia	86
USA	50
France	30
Ukraine	25
Pakistan	25
Canada	35
Germany	22
Turkey	21

Source: FAO

Wheat Consumption and Trade

Wheat consumption is driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, dietary preferences, and biofuel demand. According to the FAO, global wheat consumption reached 758 million metric tons in 2020/2021, up from 747 million metric tons in 2019/2020. The main consumers of wheat are China, India, the European Union, Russia, and Pakistan. China alone consumed about 133 million metric tons of wheat in 2020/2021, followed by India with 101 million metric tons.

Wheat is also one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world. According to the International Grains Council (IGC), global wheat trade amounted to about 188 million metric tons in 2020/2021, up from 180 million metric tons in 2019/2020. The main exporters of wheat are Russia, the European Union, Canada, Ukraine, and the United States. Russia alone exported about 40 million metric tons of wheat in 2020/2021, followed by the European Union with 32 million metric tons.

The following table shows the top 10 wheat exporting countries in 2020/2021, according to the IGC:

Country	Exports (million metric tons)
Russia	40
EU	32
Canada	28
Ukraine	18
USA	27
Australia	18
Argentina	12
Kazakhstan	8
Turkey	6
Pakistan	5

Source: IGC

Wheat Challenges and Opportunities

Wheat production faces many challenges in the face of climate change, pests and diseases, water scarcity, and market volatility. Climate change affects wheat yields and quality by altering temperature, precipitation, CO2 levels, and extreme events. Pests and diseases reduce wheat production by causing losses in quantity and quality. Water scarcity limits wheat production in many regions that rely on irrigation. Market volatility affects wheat prices and incomes by creating uncertainty and risk.

However, wheat production also offers many opportunities for innovation and improvement. Some of the opportunities include:

Developing new varieties of wheat that are more resilient to climate change, pests and diseases, water stress, and quality requirements.
Adopting improved agronomic practices that enhance soil health, water use efficiency, nutrient management, pest control, and crop rotation.
Increasing investment in research and development that address the needs and challenges of wheat producers and consumers.
Enhancing cooperation and coordination among stakeholders that are involved in the wheat value chain, such as farmers, researchers, extension agents, processors, traders, and policymakers.
Promoting sustainable wheat production that balances economic, social, and environmental goals.

Wheat is a vital crop that feeds and supports billions of people and animals around the world. Global wheat production has reached record levels in recent years, but it also faces many challenges that threaten its future. To ensure food security and livelihoods, wheat production needs to adapt and innovate to overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities. Wheat is not only a crop, but also a symbol of civilization and culture.

References:

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize

http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/

https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/csdb/en/
https://www.igc.int/en/grainsupdate/wheat.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_wheat_production_statistics
https://www.statista.com/topics/1668/wheat/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_wheat_production_statistics
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
https://www.statista.com/topics/1668/wheat/
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-90673-3_4