7 Reasons Why Wheat is the Most Important Grain in the World
Wheat is the second largest grain worldwide based on grain acreage and total production volume. The global production volume of wheat came to about over 778 million metric tons in the marketing year of 2021/22. This was an increase of about four million tons compared to the previous year. But what makes wheat so important and valuable for the global food system? Here are seven reasons why wheat is the most important grain in the world.
1. Wheat is a staple food for billions of people.
Wheat provides about 20% of the total calories and protein consumed by humans worldwide. It is a major source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals that have various health benefits. Wheat is also versatile and can be processed into different forms, such as flour, bread, pasta, noodles, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, and snacks.
2. Wheat is a resilient crop that can grow in diverse environments.
Wheat can adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions, soil types, and altitudes. It can tolerate cold, heat, drought, salinity, and acidity. Wheat can also be grown in rotation with other crops, such as legumes, oilseeds, and fodder crops, to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.
3. Wheat is a valuable commodity in the global trade market.
Wheat is the most traded cereal grain in the world, with an average annual trade volume of about 180 million tons in the past decade. The main exporters of wheat are Russia, the United States, Canada, France, Australia, Ukraine, Argentina, and Kazakhstan. The main importers of wheat are Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, Algeria, Morocco, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Wheat trade is influenced by various factors, such as supply and demand, weather conditions, quality standards, price fluctuations, trade policies, and geopolitical issues.
4. Wheat is a driver of innovation and technology in agriculture.
Wheat is one of the most researched crops in the world, with many scientific breakthroughs and achievements in breeding, biotechnology, agronomy, pathology, physiology, genetics, and genomics. Wheat research aims to improve yield potential, quality traits, disease resistance, stress tolerance, and environmental sustainability of wheat production. Wheat research also contributes to the development of new tools and methods for crop improvement and management.
5. Wheat is a source of income and livelihood for millions of farmers.
Wheat is cultivated by about 220 million farmers in more than 100 countries across six continents. Wheat production supports the food security and economic development of many rural communities and regions. Wheat farmers face various challenges and opportunities in their production systems, such as climate change, pests and diseases, market access, input costs, labor availability, mechanization, diversification, and value addition.
6. Wheat is a cultural symbol and a part of human history.
Wheat has been domesticated for about 10,000 years and has played a significant role in the development of human civilization. Wheat is associated with many religious rituals, festivals, traditions, and cuisines around the world. Wheat is also a symbol of prosperity, peace, fertility, and harvest.
7. Wheat is a key ingredient for many innovative and nutritious food products.
Wheat is not only used for traditional food products but also for new and emerging food products that cater to the changing preferences and needs of consumers. Some examples of these products are gluten-free products,
whole grain products, fortified products, functional foods, bioactive compounds, and novel foods.
Wheat is indeed the most important grain in the world for many reasons. It provides food, income, and livelihood for billions of people. It also contributes to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation in agriculture. It also reflects the diversity, culture, and history of humanity.
Wheat Global Production: Trends and Challenges
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food and feed for humans and animals. According to Statista, the global production volume of wheat amounted to over 778 million metric tons in the marketing year of 2021/22, an increase of about four million tons compared to the previous year. China, India, and Russia are the three largest individual wheat producers in the world, accounting for about 41% of the world’s total wheat production. The United States is the fourth-largest individual wheat producer in the world, with a forecasted production of 51.7 million metric tons in 2022/23.
Wheat Consumption and Trade: Drivers and Barriers
The global consumption of wheat is also rising, driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, and changing dietary preferences. Statista estimates that the global wheat consumption will reach 778.5 million metric tons in 2021/22, with China, India, and the European Union being the top three consumers. The global trade of wheat is also expanding, as some countries produce more than they consume, while others face a deficit. The major exporting countries of wheat are Russia, the European Union, Canada, the United States, and Australia. The major importing countries are Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and Algeria. The global trade of wheat is influenced by various factors, such as weather conditions, crop diseases, market prices, trade policies, and geopolitical tensions.
Wheat Production Challenges and Opportunities: Climate Change and Innovation
One of the main challenges facing wheat production is climate change, which affects the yield and quality of wheat crops. Higher temperatures, droughts, floods, pests, and diseases can reduce wheat productivity and increase production costs. According to a study by Lobell et al. (2019), climate change could reduce global wheat production by 6% per degree Celsius of warming. To cope with climate change, wheat producers need to adopt various adaptation strategies, such as improving irrigation efficiency, diversifying crop rotations, using heat- and drought-tolerant varieties, and applying integrated pest management. Moreover, wheat production can benefit from innovation and technology, such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, digital platforms, and blockchain. These innovations can enhance wheat productivity, quality, traceability, and sustainability.
References:
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567
https://www.statista.com/statistics/267268/production-of-wheat-worldwide-since-1990/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/192076/top-10-wheat-producing-countries/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/267271/major-importing-countries-of-wheat-flour-and-products/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1671-0
https://www.statista.com/topics/1668/wheat/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_wheat_production_statistics
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