10 Largest Wheat Producers in the World: Facts and Figures

Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world, providing food and nutrition for billions of people. Wheat is also a versatile crop that can grow in different climates and soils, making it widely cultivated across the globe. In this article, we will look at the 10 largest wheat producers in the world, based on their total production from 2000 to 2020, according to data from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

1. China

China is the undisputed leader in wheat production, with more than 2.4 billion tonnes of wheat harvested in the last two decades, accounting for about 17% of the global total. China mainly grows winter wheat in its northern provinces, where it is a staple food for millions of people. China is also the world’s largest consumer of wheat, using it for making noodles, dumplings, breads and pastries.

2. India

India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, with 12.5% of the global share. India produces mainly spring wheat in its northern and central regions, where it is a major component of the diet. India uses wheat for making flatbreads such as roti, chapati, naan and paratha, as well as snacks like samosa and halwa.

3. Russia

Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, with 9.8% of the global output. Russia grows both winter and spring wheat in its vast territory, spanning from Europe to Asia. Russia is also the world’s top exporter of wheat, supplying more than 40 million tonnes of wheat to other countries in 2020.

4. United States

The United States is the fourth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 8.7% of the global production. The US grows mainly winter wheat in its central and southern plains, and spring wheat in its northern plains and Pacific Northwest. The US is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to Mexico, Japan and South Korea.

5. France

France is the fifth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 4.9% of the global total. France grows mainly winter wheat in its northern and central regions, where it has a favorable climate and soil quality. France is also a leading exporter of wheat, especially to Algeria, Morocco and Egypt.

6. Canada

Canada is the sixth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 3.8% of the global output. Canada grows mainly spring wheat in its western provinces, where it has a long growing season and high yields. Canada is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to China, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

7. Australia

Australia is the seventh-largest wheat producer in the world, with 3% of the global production. Australia grows mainly winter wheat in its eastern and southern regions, where it has a dry and mild climate. Australia is also a significant exporter of wheat, especially to Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan.

8. Pakistan

Pakistan is the eighth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 2.9% of the global total. Pakistan produces mainly spring wheat in its northern and central regions, where it has a warm and humid climate. Pakistan uses wheat for making flatbreads such as roti and naan, as well as desserts like halwa and kheer.

9. Ukraine

Ukraine is the ninth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 2.7% of the global output. Ukraine grows both winter and spring wheat in its fertile black soil regions, where it has a temperate climate. Ukraine is also a prominent exporter of wheat, especially to Egypt, Turkey and China.

10. Germany

Germany is the tenth-largest wheat producer in the world, with 2.6% of the global production. Germany grows mainly winter wheat in its northern and western regions, where it has a cool and moist climate. Germany uses wheat for making breads, cakes and pastries.

Largest Wheat Producers in the World

Wheat is one of the most important crops for human consumption, as well as for animal feed and industrial uses. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global wheat production in 2020 was about 773 million tonnes, with more than 80 countries contributing to this amount. However, some countries produce much more wheat than others, and their production trends can affect the global wheat market and food security. Here are three statistical paragraphs about the largest wheat producers in the world, based on the data from 2000 to 2020.

China: The Top Producer and Consumer of Wheat

China is the world’s largest wheat producer and has yielded more than 2.4 billion tonnes of wheat in the last two decades, making up roughly 17% of total production from 2000 to 2020 . A majority of China’s wheat is used domestically to help meet the country’s rising food demand. China is the world’s largest consumer of wheat—in 2020/2021, the country accounted for approximately 19% of global wheat consumption . China mainly grows winter wheat in its northern regions, such as Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Anhui provinces. China’s wheat production has increased steadily over the years, thanks to improved varieties, irrigation, fertilization, and mechanization. However, China also faces some challenges in its wheat sector, such as climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and soil degradation.

India: The Second-Largest Wheat Producer with High Growth Rate

India is the second-largest wheat-producing country in the world, with a share of about 12.5% of global wheat production from 2000 to 2020 . India produced about 107 million tonnes of wheat in 2020, which was a record high for the country . India’s wheat production has grown rapidly in the last two decades, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%, compared to the global average of 1.3% . India’s wheat production is mainly concentrated in its northern states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. India’s wheat sector has benefited from the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding varieties, irrigation, fertilizers, and subsidies. However, India also faces some challenges in its wheat sector, such as low productivity, inefficient marketing, storage losses, and environmental issues.

European Union: The Third-Largest Wheat Producer and Exporter

The European Union (EU) is the third-largest wheat-producing region in the world, with a share of about 18% of global wheat production from 2000 to 2020 . The EU produced about 138 million tonnes of wheat in 2020/2021 . The EU’s wheat production is distributed among its member states, with France, Germany, Poland, Romania, and Spain being the top five producers. The EU grows both winter and spring wheat varieties, depending on the climate and soil conditions of each country. The EU’s wheat sector is supported by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which provides direct payments, market measures, and rural development programs. However, the EU also faces some challenges in its wheat sector, such as price volatility, trade disputes, quality standards, and climate change.

References:

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

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

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/08/top-10-countries-produce-most-wheat/

https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/wasde1121.pdf

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

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/short-term-outlook-autumn-2021_en.pdf

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/08/top-10-countries-produce-most-wheat/

https://www.world-grain.com/media/photos/154-world-s-top-wheat-producing-countries

https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/164663/wheat-producing-countries