Wheat grains have been a stable food for many civilizations all across the world for thousands of years now. And it is known to us now that wheat is a great source of starch and energy. However, there is no harm in consuming wheat every day, since it contains essential and nutritional components such as some amount of protein, vitamins (mostly vitamin B), and fibers as well. And this nutritional content may differ in different varieties of wheat all across the globe. There are literally thousands of wheat varieties cultivated in today’s modern era. Wheat is for sure one of the most cultivated crops in the world other than rice, potatoes, soybeans, etc.

The cultivation of wheat is pretty profitable for farmers, therefore it is a major cash crop not just in third-world countries, but farmers from tier-1 countries also grow wheat on their land for a profit. You may already know that China, India, and Russia are the largest wheat producers in the world, but what about other players in the game? Did you know there are some small countries that contribute a significant proportion to the total wheat production of the world? Well, today’s post is going to be all about that, we will be taking a look at the top 10 largest producers of wheat in the world. The statistical data about wheat production in the world is quite fascinating, let’s get down to it then.

Largest Producers Of Wheat In The World

1. China

As you may already know, China is for sure the largest producer of wheat in the entire world. The prime reason behind that is the perfect weather conditions for the growth of wheat crops, and the available land for cultivation. There are more than 30 provinces in China that take part in wheat production. And the total cultivation or harvesting land is around 24 million hectares in China. That is the prime reason why China has been producing over 100 million metric tonnes of wheat every year. According to the statistical report from this year, China has produced around 136.94 million metric tonnes of wheat this year alone.

2. India

The exact time period isn’t known when wheat made its first appearance in India. But, whatever the history of wheat in India is, in today’s modern world, India is known as the second largest wheat producer in the world. Most of the wheat yield is distributed or sold to the general population, and a considerable amount is exported to other countries as well. The land for wheat production is around 30 million hectares in India, thus, India produces nearly 100 million metric tonnes of wheat every year. For example, in 2021-22, India produced well over 109 million metric tonnes of wheat. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are the major contributors to India’s total wheat production.

3. Russia

Most of you may know Russia as the biggest wheat producer in the world, and that is because Russia produces an insane amount of wheat every year. There’s no shortage of land to cultivate or grow wheat crops, thus around 26 million hectares of land is utilized for wheat production. In the last decade, Russia has been quite consistent in producing around 70 to 80 million metric tonnes of wheat every year. Last year, Russia produced well over 85 million metric tonnes, but since there’s a war situation between Ukraine and Russia, wheat production has dipped a little because of the shortage of fertilizers. However, it still produced around 75.5 million metric tonnes of wheat this year.

4. The United States

From the third spot to the fourth, wheat production decreases by a lot. For example, the United States of America produces not even half of what China, India, or Russia produces all alone. The noteworthy thing is that in the USA, almost all the states contribute to the total wheat production of the nation. Thus the land available for wheat cultivation is pretty significant than other countries on our list. Therefore, the USA produces well over 50 million metric tonnes of wheat every year, and the track record has been quite consistent. However, this year wheat production has dipped a little, thus the production amount is around 44.81 million metric tonnes.

5. Canada

The fifth and lower ranks on this list fluctuate a little every year since there is not much difference in the total wheat production of countries like Canada, France, and Australia. But Canada has been quite consistent at the production rate because every year the total production amount is well over 30 million metric tonnes. Compared to last year’s production amount (which was 35.1 million metric tonnes) this year the production has dipped a little, and in 2022, Canada produced around 34.6 million metric tonnes of wheat. And a huge portion of that (around 12 to 13%) is usually exported to other nations.

6. France

France is the sixth largest wheat producer in the world with an incredible production amount of 33.44 million metric tonnes. It is true that the production rate has decreased significantly in France in the last five years. For example, between 2017 to 2020, France produced well over 40 million metric tonnes. Most of the time, you won’t see France’s name on the majority lists of “Largest Wheat Producers In The World” that is because France’s production amount is counted in the total wheat production of the European Union. And France accounts for around 18% to 20% of the wheat production in the European Union.

7. Australia

If we were to count France as part of the European Union, then for sure Australia would be one rank higher on today’s list. In recent years, there have been major dips in terms of the total wheat production in Australia. From 2017 to 2019, wheat production went below the mark of 20 million metric tonnes. However, Australia is one such country that has been quite consistent in wheat production for the last few decades. The production rate pumped up again this year, that’s the reason Australia produced around 32.2 million metric tonnes of wheat.

8. Pakistan

Despite being a fairly small country as compared to other nations on our list, Pakistan contributes a significant amount to the total wheat production of the world. With that said, Pakistan is still known as the third-largest wheat-producing nation in Asia along with China and India. If we were to talk about the cultivation-land-to-production ratio, then for sure Pakistan would be in the top five of that list. In Pakistan, the available land for wheat crop cultivation is nearly 9 million hectares. Thus, last year, Pakistan produced well over 27 million metric tonnes of wheat, or 27.46 million metric tonnes to be precise.

9. Germany

Germany is also a part of the EU (European Union) that’s why you don’t see its name on the majority list of wheat producers in the world. However, Germany adds up to quite a significant proportion of the total wheat production combined of all the EU countries. From last year, Germany has made a jump of 5.3% in wheat production, and this year it has produced around 22.51 million metric tonnes of wheat alone.

10. Ukraine

The black soil found in Ukraine is incredibly fertile, not just for wheat but for other crops as well, and that is why Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe. This year, wheat production has decreased by 41% in Ukraine because of the war situation going on with Russia. Farmers aren’t able to cultivate crops all across Ukraine. And that is why, the total wheat production of Ukraine came down to just 13.5 million metric tonnes, which was just over 20 million metric tonnes last year.

Final Thoughts

These are the top wheat producers in the world that keep up with such high and continuously rising demand for wheat and wheat flour in the world. If the production rate dips in any of these countries, you’ll see the impact of that on the overall imports and exports of the world, and of course, the price would also fluctuate.

World Wheat Production FAQs

1. Which countries are the largest producers of wheat?

   • The top wheat-producing countries typically include China, India, Russia, the United States, and France.
2. What are the main varieties of wheat grown globally?
   • The main varieties of wheat are hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, hard white, soft white, and durum. These varieties vary in their protein content and are suited for different uses.
3. What factors influence wheat production?
   • Wheat production is influenced by factors such as climate, soil quality, technology, pest control, and government policies. Weather conditions, in particular, can significantly impact yields.
4. How is wheat used globally?
   • Wheat is a staple food and is used to produce various products, including bread, pasta, couscous, and many others. It’s also used in animal feed, and a portion of the global wheat production is processed into flour for industrial purposes.
5. What are the challenges in wheat production?
   • Challenges in wheat production include climate change, pests and diseases, soil degradation, and the need for sustainable farming practices. Farmers often face economic challenges as well, influenced by market prices and government policies.
6. How does wheat production impact global food security?
   • Wheat is a crucial component of the world’s food supply, and fluctuations in production can impact global food security. Any disruptions in major wheat-producing regions can have widespread effects on food prices and availability.
7. What is the role of technology in wheat farming?
   • Technology plays a significant role in modern wheat farming, including the use of advanced machinery, precision agriculture, genetically modified varieties, and improved irrigation techniques. These technologies aim to enhance efficiency and increase yields.

8. How does wheat production contribute to the economy?

   • Wheat production contributes significantly to the economies of many countries, providing income for farmers, employment in the agricultural sector, and supporting related industries such as milling and food processing.