Did you know that Ukraine ranks last in the list of the top ten wheat-producing countries in the world?
According to a report by the International Wheat Council in July, worldwide wheat production is expected to reach 770 million tons in 2022-2023, down from 781 million tons in 2021-2022, with 195 million tons available for trade.
Most wheat production comes from a few countries and a smaller number of major exporters, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Leading wheat producers
Here is a look at the top 10 wheat-producing countries worldwide, based on total yield in tons according to World Green:
1- 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. The World Wheat Council estimates that China will produce 135.8 million tons of wheat in 2022-2023 and consume 141 million.
2- India: India has produced 12.5 percent of the world’s total wheat during the last twenty years with 1.8 billion tons, but it also consumes most of what it produces. India, which is the second most populous country in the world with 1.38 billion people, is expected to produce 105 billion tons of wheat in 2022-2023, while it will consume 104.5 million tons.
3- Russia: It was the third largest country in the world in terms of wheat production with 1.2 billion tons between 2000 and 2020. But it has the distinction of being the first wheat exporter in the world. While the World Wheat Council expects Russia to produce 85.2 million tons of wheat in 2022-2023, it is expected to consume 44.4 million tons and export 37.6 million tons.
4- The United States: The United States produced 8.4 percent of the world’s total volume between 2000 and 2020, with 1.2 billion tons. It is also a major exporter and ranks second after Russia. The World Wheat Council expects the United States to produce 48 million tons in 2022-2024, consume 30.9 million tons, and export 22 million tons.
5- France: France secured 5.4 percent of the world’s wheat production between 2000 and 2020, with 767 million tons, making it the first farmer in the European Union. Farm office FranceAgrimer is expected to export 17.3 million tons of wheat in 2022-2023 with a production of 32.89 million tons.
6- Canada: Canada produced 571 million tons or 4 percent of the world’s wheat production between 2000 and 2020. The World Cinnamon Council expects Canada to produce 4.3 million tons between 2022 and 2023 and export 22.8 million tons to world markets.
7- Germany: It is second only to France in the European Union in terms of wheat production, and it planted 3.5 percent of the global share with 491 million tons between 2000 and 2020. The Farmers’ Association expected crops to reach 65.22 million tons in 2022.
8- Pakistan: Pakistan’s share of the world’s total wheat amounted to 3.4 percent, or 482 million tons, between 2000 and 2020. The US Department of Agriculture expects Pakistan to produce 25.4 million tons in 2022-2023 against consumption of 29.2 million tons.
9- Australia: Australia has become a contributor to wheat cultivation and an exporter in the twenty-first century. It has secured 3.2 percent of the world’s total in the last twenty years with 456 million tons. The World Wheat Council expects it to produce 30.6 million tons in 2022-2023 and to export 24.7 million tons.
10- Ukraine: Ukraine was one of the top five wheat exporters and contributed 3.1 percent of global production between 2000 and 2020. There are no accurate forecasts for Ukraine’s production in 2022-2023 due to the Russian war, but the World Wheat Council estimates that 9.41 million tons were harvested, including 10 million tons ready for export.
