7 Top Wheat Producing Countries in the World

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food for billions of people. Wheat is also a major commodity in the global trade, with significant economic and political implications. In this article, we will look at the top seven wheat producing countries in the world, based on their total yield in tonnes from 2000 to 2020.

1. China

China is the world’s largest wheat producer, with a total yield of more than 2.4 billion tons in the last two decades. China accounts for about 17% of the global wheat production and 19% of the global wheat consumption. China mainly grows common wheat (Triticum aestivum) for domestic use, especially for making noodles, steamed buns, and bread.

2. India

India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 1.8 billion tons in the last two decades. India accounts for about 14% of the global wheat production and 16% of the global wheat consumption. India grows mainly durum wheat (Triticum durum) and common wheat for domestic use, especially for making chapatis, parathas, and naan bread.

3. Russia

Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 1.4 billion tons in the last two decades. Russia accounts for about 11% of the global wheat production and 8% of the global wheat consumption. Russia is also the largest global wheat exporter, exporting volumes worth more than $7.3 billion in 2021. Russia grows mainly common wheat and winter wheat for export markets, especially in Asia and Africa.

4. United States

The United States is the fourth-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 800 million tons in the last two decades. The United States accounts for about 6% of the global wheat production and 7% of the global wheat consumption. The United States grows mainly hard red winter wheat, hard red spring wheat, soft red winter wheat, and durum wheat for domestic and export markets, especially in Latin America and Europe.

5. Canada

Canada is the fifth-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 600 million tons in the last two decades. Canada accounts for about 5% of the global wheat production and 3% of the global wheat consumption. Canada is also a major global wheat exporter, exporting volumes worth more than $5 billion in 2021. Canada grows mainly hard red spring wheat, durum wheat, and soft white winter wheat for export markets, especially in Asia and Africa.

6. France

France is the sixth-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 500 million tons in the last two decades. France accounts for about 4% of the global wheat production and 2% of the global wheat consumption. France is also a major global wheat exporter, exporting volumes worth more than $4 billion in 2021. France grows mainly soft winter wheat and durum wheat for export markets, especially in Europe and Africa.

7. Pakistan

Pakistan is the seventh-largest wheat producer in the world, with a total yield of more than 400 million tons in the last two decades. Pakistan accounts for about 3% of the global wheat production and 4% of the global wheat consumption. Pakistan grows mainly common wheat and durum wheat for domestic use, especially for making rotis, naans, and halwa.

Wheat is a vital crop that feeds millions of people around the world and influences many aspects of our lives. By knowing which countries produce the most wheat, we can better understand the global food system and its challenges.

Top Wheat Producing Countries and Global Demand

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, second only to rice and maize in terms of production and consumption. Wheat is used to make a variety of food products, such as bread, pasta, cereal, pastries, and more. Wheat is also a source of starch, gluten, malt, dextrose, and alcohol. In this blog post, we will look at the top wheat producing countries in the world and how the global demand for wheat is changing.

China: The Largest Wheat Producer

China is the largest wheat producer in the world, accounting for about 20.66% of the global wheat production in 2020. China produced 134.25 million tons of wheat in 2020, which was slightly lower than its record high of 136.12 million tons in 2019. China’s wheat production has increased steadily over the last two decades, thanks to improved varieties, irrigation, fertilization, and mechanization. China consumes most of its wheat domestically, as it is a staple food for millions of people. China also imports some wheat from other countries, mainly for feed and industrial use.

India: The Second-Largest Wheat Producer

India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, accounting for about 16.56% of the global wheat production in 2020. India produced 107.59 million tons of wheat in 2020, which was a new record high for the country. India’s wheat production has also increased significantly over the last two decades, due to the expansion of cultivated area, higher yields, and favorable weather conditions. India is also a major consumer of wheat, as it is used to make various types of breads, such as chapati, naan, and paratha. India also exports some wheat to neighboring countries, such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Russia: The Largest Wheat Exporter

Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, accounting for about 13.20% of the global wheat production in 2020. Russia produced 85.90 million tons of wheat in 2020, which was slightly lower than its record high of 86.01 million tons in 2017. Russia’s wheat production has fluctuated over the years, depending on weather conditions, crop rotation, and government policies. Russia is also the largest wheat exporter in the world, exporting volumes worth more than $7.3 billion in 2021. Russia’s main export markets are Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Indonesia.

Global Demand for Wheat: Trends and Challenges

The global demand for wheat is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, and changing dietary preferences. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global demand for wheat is projected to reach 874 million tons by 2030, up from 760 million tons in 2020. The main drivers of demand are expected to be Asia and Africa, where wheat consumption is increasing due to rising incomes and diversification of diets.

However, meeting the growing demand for wheat poses several challenges for producers and consumers alike. Some of the major challenges include:

Climate change: Climate change poses a threat to wheat production and quality, as it can affect temperature, rainfall, pests, diseases, and extreme weather events. Climate change can also affect wheat consumption patterns, as it can affect food security, nutrition, and health.
Trade disruptions: Trade disruptions can affect the availability and affordability of wheat in different regions of the world. Trade disruptions can be caused by various factors, such as political conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), trade disputes (e.g., US-China trade war), sanitary and phytosanitary measures (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic), and logistical issues (e.g., container shortages).
Food waste: Food waste is a significant problem that affects both producers and consumers of wheat. Food waste can occur at various stages of the food supply chain, such as harvesting, processing, storage, transportation, retailing, and consumption. Food waste can result in economic losses, environmental impacts, and social costs.

Wheat is a vital crop that feeds billions of people around the world. The top three wheat producing countries are China, India, and Russia, which together account for more than half of the global wheat production. The global demand for wheat is expected to increase in the future, but there are also many challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable production and consumption of wheat.

References:

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

https://web.archive.org/web/20160910234716/http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/download/Q/QC/E

http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567

These are the top 10 countries that produce the most wheat

Wheat Production by Country 2023

Wheat production by country, 2020

FAO – Wheat