10 Countries That Export the Most Wheat in 2024 (and How They Do It)
Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world, feeding billions of people and providing a source of income for millions of farmers. But which countries are the top exporters of wheat, and what are their secrets to success? In this article, we’ll look at the data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other sources to rank the 10 countries that exported the most wheat in 2022, and how they managed to achieve such high levels of production and quality.
1. Russia
Russia was the largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $8.92 billion, according to the FAO. Russia has a vast territory with diverse climatic zones, allowing it to grow different varieties of wheat suited for different markets. Russia also benefits from low production costs, high yields, and favorable exchange rates. Russia mainly exports its wheat to Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and China.
2. United States
The United States was the second-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $7.83 billion, according to the FAO. The United States has a long history of wheat production and research, resulting in high-quality and high-protein wheat that is in demand worldwide. The United States also has a well-developed infrastructure and logistics system that facilitates efficient transportation and storage of wheat. The United States mainly exports its wheat to Mexico, Japan, Philippines, and Nigeria.
3. Australia
Australia was the third-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $7.36 billion, according to the FAO. Australia has a competitive advantage in producing hard wheat that is suitable for making bread and noodles, as well as durum wheat that is used for making pasta. Australia also has a favorable climate and soil conditions for growing wheat, as well as strict quarantine and biosecurity measures that ensure the health and safety of its crops. Australia mainly exports its wheat to Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and South Korea.
4. Canada
Canada was the fourth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $6.91 billion, according to the FAO. Canada is known for producing high-quality and high-protein wheat that is ideal for baking and milling purposes. Canada also has a strong reputation for reliability and consistency in delivering its wheat to its customers. Canada mainly exports its wheat to Indonesia, China, Japan, and Bangladesh.
5. Ukraine
Ukraine was the fifth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $5.87 billion, according to the FAO. Ukraine has a favorable geographic location that allows it to access both European and Asian markets. Ukraine also has fertile black soil that is rich in organic matter and nutrients, as well as a relatively low cost of production. Ukraine mainly exports its wheat to Egypt, China, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
6. France
France was the sixth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $4.48 billion, according to the FAO. France is the largest wheat producer in the European Union and has a diversified portfolio of wheat varieties that cater to different preferences and needs of its customers. France also has a high level of innovation and technology that enhances its productivity and quality of wheat. France mainly exports its wheat to Algeria, Morocco, Belgium, and Italy.
7. Argentina
Argentina was the seventh-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $2.45 billion, according to the FAO. Argentina has a favorable climate and soil conditions for growing wheat, as well as a flexible planting schedule that allows it to adjust to market demand. Argentina also has a competitive price advantage due to its low tariffs and subsidies. Argentina mainly exports its wheat to Brazil, Indonesia, Chile, and Vietnam.
8. Germany
Germany was the eighth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $1.97 billion, according to the FAO. Germany is one of the leading producers of organic wheat in Europe and has a high standard of quality and safety for its crops. Germany also has a strong domestic market that supports its export potential. Germany mainly exports its wheat to Poland, Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium.
9. Romania
Romania was the ninth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $1.8 billion, according to the FAO. Romania has seen a significant increase in its wheat production and exports in recent years, due to improved yields, quality, and infrastructure. Romania also benefits from its proximity to major importers in North Africa and the Middle East. Romania mainly exports its wheat to Egypt, Spain, Italy, and Jordan.
10. India
India was the tenth-largest wheat exporter in 2022, with a total value of $1.72 billion, according to the FAO. India is one of the largest wheat producers in the world and has a surplus of wheat stocks that it exports to meet global demand. India also has a diverse range of wheat varieties that suit different tastes and preferences. India mainly exports its wheat to Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and United Arab Emirates.
Wheat is a staple food for many people around the world, and a lucrative commodity for many countries. The top 10 wheat exporters in 2022 accounted for over 90% of the global wheat trade, and each had their own strengths and strategies to succeed in this competitive market.
Global Trends in Grain Exports by Country
Grain is one of the most important commodities in the world, as it provides food and feed for humans and animals. Among the different types of grains, wheat is the most widely traded, followed by maize (corn), rice and soybean. In this post, we will look at some of the latest statistics and trends in grain exports by country, focusing on wheat as the main example.
Wheat Exports by Country in 2022
According to World’s Top Exports, worldwide sales for exported wheat from all countries totaled US$66.2 billion in 2022. That dollar amount results from a 61% upturn in international wheat sales since 2018 when global wheat exports were valued at $41.1 billion. From 2021 to 2022, the value of globally exported wheat increased by 16.2% compared to $56.7 billion one year earlier.
The top five wheat exporters (Australia, United States, Canada, France and Russia) provided over three-fifths (61.7%) of the overall value of international shipments for the nourishing cereal food. Australia was the leading exporter with US$10.2 billion (15.4% of total wheat exports), followed by the United States with $8.52 billion (12.9%), Canada with $7.9 billion (12%), France with $7.4 billion (11.2%) and Russia with $6.8 billion (10.3%).
Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing wheat suppliers were Brazil (up 240.6% from 2021), France (up 62.4%), Australia (up 40.5%), Poland (up 40.4%), Kazakhstan (up 34.7%) and India (up 23.6%). A pair of leading countries posted declines in their annual exported wheat sales namely Ukraine (down -47.2% from 2021) and Russia (down -6.9%).
Wheat Trade Balance by Country in 2022
The trade balance of a country is the difference between the value of its exports and imports of a certain commodity. A positive trade balance indicates a surplus, meaning that the country exports more than it import, while a negative trade balance indicates a deficit, meaning that the country imports more than it export.
According to The Observatory of Economic Complexity, the top five countries with the highest positive trade balance for wheat in 2022 were Australia ($10.2 billion), Canada ($7.9 billion), Russia ($8.9 billion), United States ($7.8 billion) and Ukraine ($5.9 billion). These countries were net exporters of wheat, meaning that they produced more than they consumed domestically.
On the other hand, the top five countries with the highest negative trade balance for wheat in 2022 were Egypt ($-4.5 billion), Nigeria ($-3.3 billion), Indonesia ($-3 billion), China ($-2.9 billion) and Turkey ($-2.5 billion). These countries were net importers of wheat, meaning that they consumed more than they produced domestically.
Wheat Demand and Supply by Country in 2022
The demand and supply of a commodity are influenced by various factors, such as population, income, preferences, technology, weather, policies and trade agreements. The demand and supply of wheat can be measured by its consumption and production respectively.
According to Wikipedia, the top five countries by wheat consumption in 2022 were China (134 million tons), India (103 million tons), European Union (98 million tons), Russia (39 million tons) and United States (33 million tons). These countries accounted for about two-thirds of the global wheat consumption.
On the other hand, the top five countries by wheat production in 2022 were India (108 million tons), China (106 million tons), Russia (85 million tons), European Union (79 million tons) and United States (51 million tons). These countries accounted for about three-quarters of the global wheat production.
Comparing the consumption and production of wheat by country, we can see that some countries had a surplus or deficit of wheat in 2022. For example, India had a surplus of 5 million tons, while China had a deficit of 28 million tons.
In this post, we have seen some of the latest statistics and trends in grain exports by country, focusing on wheat as the main example. We have learned that:
- Wheat is the most widely traded grain in the world, with a total value of US$66.2 billion in 2022.
- The top five wheat exporters were Australia, United States, Canada, France and Russia, accounting for over 60% of the global wheat exports.
- The top five wheat importers were Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, China and Turkey, accounting for over 20% of the global wheat imports.
- The top five countries with the highest positive trade balance for wheat were Australia, Canada, Russia, United States and Ukraine, while the top five countries with the highest negative trade balance for wheat were Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, China and Turkey.
- The top five countries by wheat consumption were China, India, European Union, Russia and United States, while the top five countries by wheat production were India, China, Russia, European Union and United States.
- Some countries had a surplus or deficit of wheat in 2022, such as India and China respectively.
We hope that this post has been informative and interesting for you.
Reference:
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
Wheat Exports by Country 2022 – World’s Top Exports
List of countries by wheat consumption – Wikipedia
Wheat | OEC – The Observatory of Economic Complexity
https://ahrefs.com/blog/blog-seo/
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