How China Became the World’s Largest Producer of Wheat
Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world, providing food for billions of people and feed for livestock. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global wheat production in 2020 was about 773 million tons, with China being the top producer with 134 million tons, followed by India with 108 million tons and Russia with 86 million tons.
But how did China achieve this remarkable feat of becoming the world’s largest producer of wheat? Here are some factors that contributed to China’s wheat success story:
Diversified wheat varieties:
China grows a wide range of wheat varieties that are adapted to different climatic zones, soil types and cropping systems. Some of the major types are winter wheat, spring wheat, facultative wheat and durum wheat. China also invests heavily in wheat breeding and biotechnology to improve yield, quality, disease resistance and stress tolerance of its wheat varieties. For example, China has developed hybrid wheat varieties that can increase yield by 15-20% compared to conventional varieties. China has also introduced genetically modified (GM) wheat varieties that can resist pests, diseases and herbicides, as well as enhance nutritional value and processing quality.
Improved agronomic practices:
China has adopted modern and scientific methods of wheat cultivation, such as improved seed quality, optimal sowing dates, balanced fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management, mechanization and post-harvest processing. These practices have enhanced the productivity, efficiency and profitability of wheat farming in China. For instance, China has implemented precision agriculture techniques that use satellite imagery, drones, sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor crop growth, soil moisture, nutrient status and pest infestation, and provide timely and accurate guidance for farmers to optimize their inputs and outputs. China has also promoted conservation agriculture practices that reduce soil erosion, water loss and greenhouse gas emissions, such as no-till farming, crop rotation and cover cropping.
Government support:
The Chinese government has provided strong policy support and incentives for wheat production, such as setting minimum purchase prices, subsidizing inputs, offering crop insurance, promoting market access and facilitating technology transfer. These measures have encouraged farmers to grow more wheat and ensured food security and income stability for them. For example, China has established a national strategic reserve system that purchases surplus wheat from farmers at a guaranteed price and releases it to the market when needed to stabilize supply and demand. China has also launched a national food security strategy that aims to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production by 2035.
Increasing demand:
The demand for wheat in China has grown steadily over the years, driven by population growth, urbanization, income growth and changing dietary preferences. Wheat is not only consumed as flour for making noodles, breads and pastries, but also as feed for animals, especially pigs and poultry. Moreover, China has also increased its wheat imports and exports to meet its domestic and international market needs. For example, China imported 10.8 million tons of wheat in 2020/2021, mainly from Australia, Canada and France. China also exported 1.3 million tons of wheat in 2020/2021, mainly to South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia.
As a result of these factors, China has achieved remarkable progress in wheat production over the past decades, surpassing the United States as the world’s largest producer of wheat in 1998 and maintaining its leading position ever since.
Wheat Production Trends and Global Demand
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food for billions of people and feed for livestock. Wheat production is influenced by many factors, such as climate, soil, pests, diseases, and market demand. In this blog post, we will explore some of the trends and challenges in wheat production, as well as the global demand and trade of this commodity.
Top Wheat Producing Countries
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world produced about 776 million tons of wheat in 2020, a slight increase from 2019. The top 10 wheat producing countries accounted for about 75% of the global production. Here are the top 10 wheat producing countries in 2020, based on FAO data:
- China: 134.3 million tons (17.3% of global share)
- India: 107.6 million tons (13.9% of global share)
- Russia: 85.9 million tons (11.1% of global share)
- United States: 49.7 million tons (6.4% of global share)
- France: 30.1 million tons (3.9% of global share)
- Ukraine: 24.9 million tonnes (3.2% of global share)
- Australia: 14.5 million tons (1.9% of global share)
- Pakistan: 25.2 million tons (3.2% of global share)
- Canada: 35.2 million tons (4.5% of global share)
- Germany: 22.2 million tons (2.9% of global share)
These countries have different climatic and agronomic conditions that affect their wheat production. For example, China and India have large populations and high domestic consumption, while Russia, Ukraine, Australia, and Canada are major exporters of wheat to the world market.
Global Demand and Trade of Wheat
Wheat is a staple food for many regions of the world, especially in Asia, Africa, and Europe. According to the FAO, the world consumed about 755 million tons of wheat in 2020/2021, an increase of 1.6% from the previous year. The main drivers of wheat consumption are population growth, income growth, urbanization, and changing dietary preferences.
The world trade of wheat is also significant, as about 20% of the global production is exported to other countries. The FAO estimates that the world trade of wheat reached about 188 million tons in 2020/2021, a decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. The main exporters of wheat are Russia, the European Union, Canada, Ukraine, and the United States, while the main importers are Egypt, China, Turkey, Indonesia, and Brazil.
The global demand and trade of wheat are influenced by various factors, such as weather conditions, crop yields, prices, policies, and geopolitical events. For example, the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns about the supply and price of wheat in the international market.
References:
http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
These are the top 10 countries that produce the most wheat
International wheat production statistics – Wikipedia
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2019.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107896
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2018.05.002
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erx246
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