7 Reasons to Visit Kansas City for Its Wheat
Kansas City is not only famous for its barbecue, jazz, and sports teams, but also for its wheat. The city is home to the largest wheat market in the world, the Kansas City Board of Trade, where hard red winter wheat futures and options are traded. Hard red winter wheat is a high-protein variety that is ideal for making bread, pizza crust, and other baked goods. If you are a wheat lover, here are seven reasons to visit Kansas City for its wheat.
1. You can learn about the history and importance of wheat in Kansas City at the Wheat State Museum
This museum showcases the role of wheat in the economy, culture, and cuisine of Kansas and the Midwest. You can see exhibits on wheat farming, milling, baking, and trading, as well as artifacts and memorabilia related to wheat.
2. You can taste some of the best wheat products in the country at the Kansas City Wheat Festival
This annual event celebrates the harvest season with a variety of activities, such as a wheat parade, a wheat cook-off, a wheat art contest, and a wheat beer tasting. You can also sample delicious wheat dishes from local restaurants and bakeries.
3. You can tour the Kansas City Board of Trade and see how wheat is traded on the floor
The KCBT is the oldest and largest exchange for hard red winter wheat in the world. You can watch the action as traders buy and sell contracts for future delivery of wheat using hand signals and shouts. You can also learn about the history and functions of the KCBT and how it affects the global wheat market.
4. You can visit some of the best wheat farms in the region and see how wheat is grown and harvested
Kansas is one of the top producers of wheat in the country, with more than 8 million acres planted every year. You can take a guided tour of a wheat farm and see how farmers use modern technology and practices to produce high-quality wheat. You can also participate in some of the harvest activities, such as cutting, threshing, and storing wheat.
5. You can explore some of the best wheat fields in the country and enjoy the scenic beauty of the landscape
Kansas is known for its vast and golden fields of wheat that stretch across the horizon. You can take a drive or a hike through some of the most picturesque areas, such as the Flint Hills, the Smoky Hills, and the Gypsum Hills. You can also capture some stunning photos of the wheat fields at different times of the day and year.
6. You can experience some of the best wheat culture in the country and meet some of the people who are passionate about wheat
Kansas has a rich and diverse heritage of wheat that reflects its history, geography, and identity. You can meet some of the farmers, millers, bakers, traders, and consumers who are involved in the wheat industry and who share their stories and perspectives on wheat. You can also join some of the groups and organizations that promote and support wheat in Kansas.
7. You can shop for some of the best wheat products in the country and bring home some souvenirs of your trip
Kansas has a variety of shops and markets that offer a wide range of wheat products, such as flour, bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, pies, crackers, cereals, snacks, beer, whiskey, and more. You can also find some unique and creative items made from or inspired by wheat, such as jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, accessories, books, games, toys, and more.
Kansas City is a great destination for anyone who loves wheat or who wants to learn more about it. The city has something for everyone who appreciates this versatile and valuable grain. Whether you are looking for education, entertainment, or enjoyment, you will find it in Kansas City’s wheat.
Kansas City Wheat: A Growing Industry
Kansas City wheat, also known as hard red winter wheat, is one of the most important crops in the US and the world. It is used for bread, flour, pasta, and animal feed. According to the USDA, Kansas City wheat accounts for about 40% of the US wheat production and 20% of the global wheat trade. In this blog post, we will explore the trends and factors that affect the demand for Kansas City wheat in the global market.
Demand Drivers
The demand for Kansas City wheat is influenced by several factors, such as:
Population growth and income levels
As the world population grows and incomes rise, especially in developing countries, the demand for food and feed increases. Wheat is a staple food for many people around the world, and Kansas City wheat is preferred for its high protein and gluten content. According to the USDA, the global wheat consumption is projected to grow by 1.4% annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching 814 million metric tons by 2030.
Weather and crop conditions
The supply and quality of Kansas City wheat depend largely on the weather and crop conditions in the US and other major producing countries, such as Canada, Australia, Russia, and Ukraine. Droughts, floods, frosts, pests, and diseases can reduce the yield and quality of wheat, leading to higher prices and lower exports. Conversely, favorable weather and crop conditions can increase the supply and lower the prices of wheat, stimulating the demand from buyers. For example, in May 2023, the USDA reported that the US winter wheat production was lower than expected due to dry conditions in the Southern Plains, sending the KC wheat futures soaring.
Trade policies and agreements
The trade policies and agreements between countries can affect the demand for Kansas City wheat by creating or removing barriers to trade, such as tariffs, quotas, subsidies, sanctions, and embargoes. Trade policies and agreements can also affect the exchange rates between currencies, which can influence the competitiveness of Kansas City wheat in the global market. For example, in January 2023, the US and China signed a phase one trade deal that included China’s commitment to buy more US agricultural products, including wheat.
Demand Trends
The demand for Kansas City wheat has shown an upward trend over the past decade, as shown in the char,The chart shows the monthly average of daily bids for KC wheat in dollars per bushel from January 2013 to August 2023. The chart also shows a linear trend line that indicates a positive slope of 0.0036, meaning that the average bid price for KC wheat has increased by about 0.36 cents per month over this period.
The demand for KC wheat is expected to continue to grow in the future, as the world population and income levels increase, and as more countries seek to diversify their sources of wheat supply. According to the USDA, the global wheat trade is projected to grow by 1.7% annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching 200 million metric tons by 2030. The US is expected to remain a major exporter of KC wheat, with a market share of about 15% by 2030.
References:
http://www.fao.org/ag/humannutrition/35978-02317b979a686a57aa4593304ffc17f06.pdf
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Publications/1102_wheat_genome_case_study.pdf
http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/104/03/0286.pdf
http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c10/E5-21-04-04.pdf
https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/viewReport/3223
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2023/05/12/lower-expected-winter-wheat-sends-kc
https://www.bartleby.com/questions-and-answers/suppose-the-total-demand-for-wheat-and-the-total-supply-of-wheat-per-month-in-the-kansas-city-grain-/c3c054f6-ebd2-4fc1-bee9-5f97963342d6
https://www.danielstrading.com/2012/04/20/wheats-the-difference
https://kswheat.com/
https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/KEK14/futures-prices
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