7 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. It is also a major commodity in the global trade, with many countries relying on wheat imports or exports. In this article, we will look at the seven countries that produce the most wheat in the world, based on the data from 2020.
1. China
China is the highest producer of wheat in the world with 17 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 2.4 billion tons. However, this Asian country of 1.4 billion people is also the highest consumer of wheat in the world, accounting for 19 percent of global wheat consumption in 2020/2021. China mainly grows winter wheat in its northern regions, where it benefits from favorable climate and irrigation.
2. India
India is the second-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 12.5 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 1.6 billion tons. India is also a major consumer of wheat, especially for making breads such as chapati and naan. India grows mostly spring wheat in its northern and central states, where it depends on the monsoon rains for irrigation.
3. Russia
Russia is the third-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 10 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 1.3 billion tons. Russia is also the largest exporter of wheat in the world, exporting volumes worth more than $7.3 billion in 2021. Russia grows mainly winter wheat in its southern and western regions, where it has fertile soils and mild winters.
4. United States
The United States is the fourth-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 6 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 790 million tons. The United States is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to Mexico, Japan, and China. The United States grows various types of wheat, such as hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, durum, and white wheat, in different regions across the country.
5. Canada
Canada is the fifth-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 4 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 560 million tons. Canada is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to China, Indonesia, and Japan. Canada grows mainly spring wheat in its prairie provinces, where it has cold winters and dry summers.
6. France
France is the sixth-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 4 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 480 million tons. France is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt. France grows mainly soft winter wheat in its northern and central regions, where it has temperate climate and adequate rainfall.
7. Pakistan
Pakistan is the seventh-largest producer of wheat in the world, with 3 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 400 million tons. Pakistan is also a major consumer of wheat, as it is a staple food for its population of 220 million people. Pakistan grows mostly spring wheat in its northern and southern regions, where it relies on irrigation from rivers and canals.
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food for billions of people. In this blog post, we will explore the trends and patterns of wheat production in the world, focusing on the top three producers: China, India, and Russia.
China: The Largest Wheat Producer and Consumer
China is the highest producer of wheat in the world with 17 percent of the world total in the last two decades, with 2.4 billion tons . However, this Asian country of 1.4 billion people is also the highest consumer of wheat in the world, accounting for approximately 19% of global wheat consumption in 2020/2021. A majority of China’s wheat is used domestically to help meet the country’s rising food demand.
China’s wheat production has increased steadily over the years, thanks to improved varieties, irrigation, fertilization, and mechanization. The main wheat-producing regions in China are the North China Plain, the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, and the Sichuan Basin. The main types of wheat grown in China are winter wheat and spring wheat, with winter wheat accounting for about 90% of the total area and output.
India: The Second-Largest Wheat Producer and Exporter
India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, with 12.5% of the world’s wheat production in the last two decades, totaling 1.9 billion tons. India’s wheat production has also increased significantly over the years, due to the Green Revolution that introduced high-yielding varieties, irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. India’s wheat production reached a record high of 107.6 million tons in 2019/2020.
India’s main wheat-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. The main type of wheat grown in India is durum wheat, which is used for making chapatis, rotis, and other flatbreads. India is also a major exporter of wheat, especially to neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In 2020/2021, India exported about 2.8 million tons of wheat.
Russia: The Third-Largest Wheat Producer and The Largest Exporter
Russia is the third-largest wheat producer in the world, with 11.3% of the world’s wheat production in the last two decades, totaling 1.7 billion tons. Russia’s wheat production has fluctuated over the years, depending on weather conditions, government policies, and market prices. Russia’s wheat production reached a record high of 85.9 million tons in 2020/2021.
Russia’s main wheat-producing regions are the Central Federal District, the Volga Federal District, and the Southern Federal District. The main types of wheat grown in Russia are winter wheat and spring wheat, with winter wheat accounting for about 70% of the total area and output. Russia is also the largest global wheat exporter, exporting volumes worth more than $7.3 billion in 2021. However, Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has caused massive disruptions to the global wheat market and adjacent industries.
Wheat is a vital crop for global food security and trade. The top three wheat-producing countries in the world are China, India, and Russia, which together account for about 41% of the world’s total wheat production. These countries have different climatic conditions, agricultural practices, and consumption patterns that affect their wheat production and trade. Understanding these factors can help us better appreciate the diversity and complexity of the global wheat industry.
References:
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
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https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/08/top-10-countries-produce-most-wheat/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/08/top-10-countries-produce-most-wheat/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/wheat-production-by-country
http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567
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