After rice and corn, wheat is the world's third most-produced cereal and is the second most produced for human consumption. Given the importance of wheat in the global food system, any impact on major producers, such as droughts, wars, or other events, can be devastating and also affect the whole world.
1. China:
With over 130 million tons of wheat produced each year. China is undoubtedly the largest producer of wheat in the world. This country is a huge country with an area of 9.68 million square kilometers. But it is also the most populous country in the world, with almost 1.4 billion people, so the demand for grains in this country is huge, and every year, so China is forced to import wheat from abroad.
Export: 5 million tons
2. India:
With almost 100 million tons in volume, India is the second-largest producer of wheat. In the Indian subcontinent, 29.5 million hectares are allocated to wheat cultivation. The yield is moderate as the yield is 3.3 tons per hectare. Depending on the harvest and year, India may have to export wheat. When the output exceeds domestic demand, wheat needs to be exported. This is because India does not have the ability to store wheat in its territory.
Export: 8.5 million tons
3. Russia:
Each year, 72 million tons of wheat are produced in the world's largest country. It is estimated that 26.5 million hectares in Russia are devoted to wheat cultivation. However, yields are among the lowest, with "only" 2.7 tons of wheat per hectare.
Despite being in third place after India and China but Russia is one of the largest exporters of wheat. The volume of these exports amounts to more than 10 billion dollars annually. Most of the Russian wheat is shipped to Egypt – this country alone accounts for almost a third of Russian wheat exports. Among the main importers of Russian wheat are Turkey, Nigeria and Bangladesh, and Pakistan at the lower level.
Export: 19.2 million tons
4. United States:
Wheat production in the United States amounts to 51 million tons of wheat. A little more than 16 million hectares are allocated for wheat cultivation. The yield is about 3200 kg of wheat per hectare. The United States is second to Canada, with nearly $7.04 billion worth of wheat exports. Some of the main markets for US wheat are China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The main wheat-producing states in the United States are North Dakota, Kansas, and Montana, then Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Export: 35.4 million tons
5. France:
Ukraine is often said to be the breadbasket of Europe. But in fact, France is Europe's largest producer of wheat. With almost 36 million tons of production, France is undoubtedly one of the largest producers of wheat in the world.
With an export value of $4.76 billion, France is the fourth largest exporter of wheat. The important markets for French wheat are Algeria, China, and Belgium.
It is estimated that 5.2 million hectares of land in France are devoted to wheat cultivation. But if France is the world's 5th largest producer of wheat, this is mainly due to high yields, with 6.8 tons of wheat produced per hectare. France is the world champion in terms of yield among the largest producers of wheat.
Export: 19.2 million tons
6. Canada:
In Canada, 31.8 million tons of wheat was harvested on nearly 10 million hectares of land, yielding 3.2 tons of wheat per hectare. In Canada, wheat exports are worth $7.1 billion. Wheat is mainly exported to China, Japan, and Indonesia.
Export: 17.5 million tons
7. Ukraine:
This country, which covers more than 606,000 square kilometers produces less than 25 million tons of wheat every year. However, the war in the Donbas region, which has been going on in the east of the country since 2014, and the latest attack by Russia in 2022, has undeniably wreaked havoc and has affected grain production in Ukraine.
In the past, this was largely an agricultural country, 20% of which is currently under Russian occupation. It is among the largest wheat-exporting countries. Unfortunately, the Russian invasion that began in February 2022 will hamper the harvest of the current year as well as the years after the war. The country will have to reorganize itself, and in the long run, it will need to clear up the land mines and pollution. Ukraine is currently one of the most heavily mined countries. After the necessary demining and clearance operations, it is necessary to obtain seeds and wait patiently for the harvest.
In Ukraine, "only" 6.6 million hectares are devoted to wheat cultivation. Until 2021, an average yield of 3.7 tons per hectare can be observed.
Export: 5.5 million tons
8. Germany:
This large country in the center of Europe produces 22 million tons a year, yielding nearly 6.7 tons of wheat per hectare. Germany currently has nearly 17 million hectares of agricultural land. Germany is currently the second-largest producer of agricultural products in the European Union. This has made it a major wheat exporter in the domestic market (EU) and also has an international presence with exports to West Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
9. Australia:
Australia harvests an average of 21 million tons of wheat annually. Australian wheat is grown on nearly 11 million hectares of land and yields relatively low at 1.9 tons per hectare.
Export: 13.5 million tons
10. Pakistan:
About 25 million tons of wheat are harvested each year in Pakistan. However, such products are not enough for the domestic market. The country is therefore forced to regularly import millions of tons of wheat to meet its domestic needs. The program includes the constitution of strategic stocks and the lifting of tariffs on this important grain for Pakistanis.
Final thought:
An increase in wheat prices will have a negative impact on countries that import large amounts of wheat, such as Egypt. But in countries that export goods, High prices can mean high returns for producers, and with the USDA forecasting a 10% drop in global inventory due to a drop in Russian plantings. Wheat producers should continue to benefit from rising prices.
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