10 Countries That Produce the Most Wheat in the World

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food for billions of people and feed for livestock. Wheat is also used to make various products such as flour, bread, pasta, pastry, beer, and biofuel. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global wheat production in 2020 was 760 million tons, with China, India, and Russia being the top three producers. In this article, we will look at the 10 countries that produce the most wheat in the world and some of the factors that affect their production.

1. China

China is the largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 134.3 million tons in 2020. China accounts for about 18% of the world’s total wheat production and consumes most of its domestic production. China grows mainly winter wheat in the northern and central regions, where the climate is favorable for wheat cultivation. China also imports wheat from other countries to meet its demand, especially for high-quality wheat varieties.

2. India

India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 107.6 million tons in 2020. India accounts for about 14% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest consumers of wheat. India grows mainly spring wheat in the northern and central regions, where irrigation facilities are available. India also exports wheat to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

3. Russia

Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 85.9 million tons in 2020. Russia accounts for about 11% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat. Russia grows mainly winter wheat in the southern and western regions, where the soil and climate are suitable for wheat cultivation. Russia also faces challenges such as pests, diseases, droughts, and frosts that affect its wheat production.

4. United States

The United States is the fourth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 49.7 million tons in 2020. The United States accounts for about 7% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat. The United States grows mainly winter wheat in the Great Plains region and spring wheat in the northern states. The United States also produces different types of wheat such as hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, white, and durum.

5. Canada

Canada is the fifth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 35.2 million tons in 2020. Canada accounts for about 5% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat. Canada grows mainly spring wheat in the western provinces, where the climate is cold and dry. Canada also produces high-quality wheat varieties such as hard red spring and durum.

6. France

France is the sixth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 30.1 million tons in 2020. France accounts for about 4% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat. France grows mainly winter wheat in the northern and central regions, where the soil and climate are favorable for wheat cultivation. France also produces different types of wheat such as soft wheat, hard wheat, and durum.

7. Pakistan

Pakistan is the seventh-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 25.2 million tons in 2020. Pakistan accounts for about 3% of the world’s total wheat production and consumes most of its domestic production. Pakistan grows mainly spring wheat in the northern and central regions, where irrigation facilities are available. Pakistan also faces challenges such as water scarcity, low productivity, and post-harvest losses that affect its wheat production.

8. Ukraine

Ukraine is the eighth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 24.9 million tons in 2020. Ukraine accounts for about 3% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat.
Ukraine grows mainly winter wheat in the southern and eastern regions, where the soil and climate are suitable for wheat cultivation. Ukraine also faces challenges such as political instability, conflicts, and weather fluctuations that affect its wheat production.

9. Germany

Germany is the ninth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 22.2 million tons in 2020. Germany accounts for about 3% of the world’s total wheat production and is also one of the largest exporters of wheat. Germany grows mainly winter wheat in the northern and central regions, where the soil and climate are favorable for wheat cultivation. Germany also produces different types of wheat such as soft wheat, hard wheat, and spelt.

10. Turkey

Turkey is the tenth-largest wheat producer in the world, with an output of 20.5 million tons in 2020. Turkey accounts for about 3% of the world’s total wheat production and consumes most of its domestic production. Turkey grows mainly winter wheat in the central and eastern regions, where irrigation facilities are available. Turkey also imports wheat from other countries to meet its demand, especially for durum wheat.

Wheat is a vital crop that feeds millions of people and animals around the world. The top 10 wheat-producing countries in the world are China, India, Russia, the United States, Canada, France, Pakistan, Ukraine, Germany, and Turkey. These countries produce about 75% of the world’s total wheat output and also trade wheat with other countries. Wheat production is influenced by various factors such as soil, climate, irrigation, pests, diseases, technology, policies, and markets.

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 is also a major commodity in international trade, with significant economic and political implications. In this blog post, we will examine some of the trends and factors affecting wheat production and global demand in the recent years.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the total global production of wheat was 760 million tons in 2020, a slight decrease from the previous year’s record of 764 million tons. The top three wheat producers in the world were China, India, and Russia, accounting for about 41% of the world’s total wheat production. The European Union, if counted as a single country, would rank second after China, with a production of 127 million tons in 2020.

The global wheat production is influenced by various factors, such as weather conditions, crop diseases, pests, input prices, government policies, and market forces. For instance, in 2020, wheat production was affected by droughts in some regions, such as Australia, Argentina, and Morocco, and by excessive rains and floods in others, such as India, Pakistan, and France. Wheat production was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains, labor availability, and consumer demand.

The global demand for wheat is driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, dietary changes, and biofuel production. According to the FAO, the global consumption of wheat was estimated at 755 million tons in 2020/21, an increase of 1.3% from the previous year. The main consumers of wheat were China, India, the European Union, Russia, and the United States. The global demand for wheat is expected to continue to grow in the future, especially in developing regions such as Asia and Africa.

The global trade of wheat is also an important aspect of the wheat market. Wheat is the most traded cereal grain in the world, with an estimated volume of 188 million tons in 2020/21. The main exporters of wheat were Russia, the European Union, Canada, the United States, and Ukraine. The main importers of wheat were Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and Bangladesh. The global trade of wheat is influenced by factors such as production levels, prices, exchange rates, tariffs, subsidies, quality standards, and geopolitical events.

Wheat production and global demand are dynamic and complex phenomena that depend on various factors at local, regional, and global levels. Wheat is not only a staple food for many people but also a strategic commodity that affects food security, economic development, and international relations.

References:

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_wheat_production_statistics
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
https://www.atlasbig.com/en-au/countries-by-wheat-production
https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/164663/wheat-producing-countries

http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_wheat_production_statistics
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/164663/wheat-producing-countries