List of the largest wheat producers and exporters

The share of agriculture in global GDP reaches 3%, so it can be safely called an important support for the economy. Grain crops are grown en masse all over the world, and wheat is considered the leader in production, because it is what is needed for the production of bread and bakery products, alcohol, etc. There are also side effects from the active development of the agricultural industry.

In this article we will talk about the production and export of wheat in the world by country.

What is the world grain market?

The global grain market is considered key in the food industry. According to the latest data, the production volume of all grains in 2019 amounted to 2.7 million tons. The main grains that many countries trade in the market are wheat, corn, oats, barley and rice.

Wheat production and harvest in the world

The growth of the world's population contributes to an increase in grain consumption. It is also used as animal feed. World wheat production is 40% and trade level is 50%.

Wheat crop develops well in the temperate zone, but this does not prevent it from being cultivated in winter in countries with hot climates.

Territories suitable for wheat growing, called the wheat belt. This includes:

• Northern Hemisphere: Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, China, USA and Canada;
• Southern Hemisphere: Argentina and Australia.

The historical leaders of cultural production can be called China, India, Russia and the USA.

In recent years, the area under wheat in the world has been declining.. This especially affected the USA and Western Europe. Productivity is growing, this happens due to the emergence of new players on the market, as well as the application of scientific progress.

World forecasts promise in 2019-2020. increase in wheat yield, which, coupled with steadily growing demand, will give exporters increased profits.

World export

In 2018, wheat exports amounted to $41.1 billion. At the same time, the value of exports is falling - in 2013 the amount was $49.2 billion.

EU countries have the highest share of world exports – almost 35%. Minimum sales are assigned to African countries - about 1%, which is associated with an increase in population and growth in consumption.

Leading exporters in the world - Russia, USA and Canada. Their share is almost 50% of the world level. In the 2000s. Asian countries were the leaders in wheat production, but their role is declining.

Forecasts from world ministries indicate that Russia will become the leader in wheat exports in 2020 due to the growing harvest. According to estimates, Russia exports about 37 million tons, European countries - 27 million tons, and the United States will take third place in the ranking - 23.5 million tons.

Important! Global production of grain and wheat in particular will increase and could reach 777 million tons.

Agriculture poses a threat to the global climate because it leads to deforestation, pollution and soil depletion. Scientists are conducting research on possible innovative farming methods, developing so-called “clean methods” that will help combat climate change.

World imports

The main imports of wheat come from countries in Africa and Asia, which annually increase the number of inhabitants, which increases grain consumption. Its role is also growing for the countries of the Middle East and Latin America.

Important! Egypt is the largest buyer of wheat on the world market due to population growth by an average of 2 million people per year.

Imports to Africa have increased by almost 50% since the early 2000s., while traditional rice-growing countries in Asia show growth of more than 70%. This is associated with the need for bread in populous regions that cannot independently ensure production.

The USDA estimates that global production in 2020 will show record trade volumes. against the backdrop of growing needs in Africa and Asia.

The problems of the 2018-2019 season contribute to maintaining the price level with unfavorable weather conditions, as well as stable high demand from importing countries. We can say that the situation on the wheat market is optimistic.

Leading countries in wheat collection and export

Wheat production increases annually, and market leaders tend to change.

So, for 2019, China, India and Russia are recognized as the leading countries in production – they represent about 42% of world wheat production.

Top 10 wheat producing countries presented in the table:

Annual export volume of wheat continues to grow and, at the end of 2019, amounted to 160 million tons.

Important! Since 2010, global wheat trade has increased by 30%.

Russia became the leader in wheat grain sales in 2019. Export volumes amounted to almost 36 million tons for a total of $8.4 billion.

Top 10 wheat exporting countries:

Largest wheat exporter in North America

The United States is historically considered a leader in grain production and exports. A third of all planting areas are used specifically for the production of grain, which is exported from the country.

Over the year, the United States exported more than 27 million tons of wheat and took 2nd place in terms of volumes sold, but became the leader in corn production - 347 million tons of grain.

The wheat belt in the United States coincides with the Great Plains, which produces 20-25 million tons per year. Spring wheat is grown in the states of Montana, North and South Dakota; winter wheat is grown in Texas, Nebraska and Kansas.

Interesting things on the site:

Wheat classes and how they differ from each other

Terms, rules and methods of storing wheat

How and when wheat harvesting occurs: timing and methods

Wheat importing countries

Total import volumes are growing. In 2018-2019 reached record levels and are estimated at 187 million tons.

The top 5 importing countries are presented in the table:

Conclusion

Exports are growing every year, as are production volumes. Russia, Canada and the USA are recognized as the leaders in wheat sales. China is reducing the amount of grain it exports due to its own needs.

Imports are still high in eastern countries. The leaders here are Egypt, Indonesia and Algeria. In addition, for example, Turkey purchases wheat from abroad in order to produce food and resell it in the future.

It is impossible not to note the growth in sales volumes in the countries of the former USSR - Ukraine and Kazakhstan. They increase the amount of extracted raw materials every year. Thus, wheat can safely be called the engine of food trade.