10 Countries That Produce the Most Wheat in the World
Wheat is a staple food for millions of people around the world. It is the third most-produced cereal after rice and maize, and the second most consumed by humans. Wheat is also used for animal feed, biofuel, and industrial purposes. In this article, we will look at the top 10 countries that produce the most wheat in the world, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
1. China
China is the world’s largest wheat producer and has yielded more than 2.4 billion tons of wheat in the last 20 years, around 17% of total production. China grows wheat mainly in its northern provinces, where it is preferred over rice as a staple food. China also consumes more wheat than any other country, accounting for about 19% of global wheat consumption in 2020/2021.
2. India
India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, with more than 1.6 billion tons of wheat harvested in the last two decades. Wheat is grown throughout India, but mainly in the northern and central regions, where it is a major component of the diet. India is also a net exporter of wheat, mainly to neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
3. Russia
Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 1.3 billion tons of wheat produced since 2000. Russia is also the largest global wheat exporter, exporting volumes worth more than $7.3 billion in 2021. Russia grows wheat mostly in its southern and western regions, where the climate is suitable for winter wheat varieties. Wheat is an important crop for Russia’s economy and food security.
4. United States
The United States is the fourth-largest wheat producer in the world, with nearly 1 billion tons of wheat grown in the past 20 years. The US grows wheat in almost every state, but mainly in the Great Plains region, where it is one of the dominant crops. The US is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to Mexico, Japan, and China.
5. France
France is the fifth-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 800 million tons of wheat harvested since 2000. France is also the largest wheat producer in Europe, accounting for about 20% of the continent’s output. France grows wheat mainly in its northern and central regions, where it is used for bread, pastry, and pasta production. France is also a significant exporter of wheat, mainly to Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt.
6. Canada
Canada is the sixth-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 600 million tons of wheat produced in the last two decades. Canada grows wheat mostly in its western provinces, especially Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, where it is a key crop for the agricultural sector. Canada is also a leading exporter of wheat, especially to the US, China, and Indonesia.
7. Australia
Australia is the seventh-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 500 million tons of wheat harvested since 2000. Australia grows wheat mainly in its eastern and southern regions, where it is adapted to dry and variable climates. Wheat is Australia’s most valuable crop export, accounting for about 12% of its total agricultural exports in 2019/2020.
8. Pakistan
Pakistan is the eighth-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 400 million tons of wheat produced in the past 20 years. Wheat is grown throughout Pakistan, but mainly in the Punjab and Sindh provinces, where it is a staple food for most of the population. Pakistan is also a net importer of wheat, mainly from Russia and Ukraine.
9. Ukraine
Ukraine is the ninth-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 300 million tons of wheat harvested since 2000. Ukraine grows wheat mostly in its central and southern regions, where it benefits from fertile soils and favorable weather conditions. Wheat is an important export commodity for Ukraine, especially to Egypt, China, and Turkey.
10. Germany
Germany is the tenth-largest wheat producer in the world, with over 300 million tons of wheat produced in the last two decades. Germany grows wheat mainly in its northern and eastern regions, where it is used for bread, beer, and animal feed production. Germany is also a net exporter of wheat, mainly to Algeria, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
Wheat Production and Demand in the World
Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world, providing food for billions of people and feed for livestock. Wheat is also used for industrial purposes, such as biofuels, paper and cosmetics. According to the World Economic Forum, the global wheat production reached 776 million tons in 2020, an increase of 1.4% from the previous year. However, the demand for wheat is also growing, driven by population growth, urbanization, income growth and changing dietary preferences. In this blog post, we will explore the trends and challenges of wheat production and demand in the world, focusing on the top wheat-producing countries.
China: The Largest Wheat Producer and Consumer
China is the world’s largest wheat producer and consumer, accounting for about 17% of the global production and 16% of the global consumption. China has cultivated wheat for thousands of years and has a diverse range of wheat varieties, adapted to different climatic and soil conditions. China mainly grows winter wheat in the north and spring wheat in the northwest. The main wheat-producing provinces are Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Anhui and Jiangsu. China’s wheat production has increased steadily over the years, reaching 136 million tons in 2020. However, China also faces several challenges in maintaining its wheat output, such as land degradation, water scarcity, pests and diseases, climate change and urbanization. To address these issues, China has invested heavily in research and development, irrigation infrastructure, subsidies and incentives for farmers, and imports of high-quality wheat.
Russia: The Largest Wheat Exporter
Russia is the second-largest wheat producer in the world and the largest wheat exporter, with a market share of 22% in 2020. Russia has a vast territory with diverse agro-climatic zones, ranging from arid steppes to humid forests. Russia mainly grows winter wheat in the south and spring wheat in the north. The main wheat-producing regions are Volga, Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Siberia. Russia’s wheat production has increased significantly in recent years, reaching 85 million tons in 2020. This is mainly due to improved yields, driven by better seeds, fertilizers, machinery and management practices. Russia also benefits from favorable weather conditions, low production costs and high export demand. However, Russia also faces some challenges in sustaining its wheat competitiveness, such as infrastructure bottlenecks, trade barriers, quality issues and climate variability.
India: The Third-Largest Wheat Producer
India is the third-largest wheat producer in the world and the second-largest wheat consumer, accounting for about 13% of the global production and 14% of the global consumption. India has a long history of wheat cultivation and has a diverse range of wheat varieties, suited to different agro-ecological zones. India mainly grows winter wheat in the north and central regions, where it is irrigated by rivers or groundwater. The main wheat-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. India’s wheat production has increased steadily over the years, reaching 107 million tons in 2020. This is mainly due to the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding varieties, irrigation expansion, fertilizer use and government support. However, India also faces some challenges in enhancing its wheat productivity and quality, such as soil degradation, water stress, pests and diseases, climate change and food security.
Wheat is a vital crop for food security and economic development in many countries around the world. The global wheat production and demand have been growing over time, but there are also many challenges and uncertainties that affect the sustainability and profitability of wheat farming. Therefore, it is important to invest in research and innovation, improve policies and institutions, enhance cooperation and coordination, and promote resilience and adaptation to ensure the future of wheat in the world.
References:
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/08/top-10-countries-produce-most-wheat/
https://www.world-grain.com/media/photos/154-world-s-top-wheat-producing-countries
https://www.fao.org/3/y4011e/y4011e04.htm
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