Wheat - statistics & facts
As the second most produced grain, wheat sits at the center of international agriculture and trade, accounting for a significant share of all cereal output. This critical food staple supports diets from flatbreads in South Asia to pasta in Europe.
Production powerhouses and growing appetites
China, the European Union, and India consistently rank as the leading wheat producing regions. The EU edged ahead in 2025/26, but all three harvested well over 100 million metric tons. Russia's wheat output is projected to grow between 2024 and 2034, positioning it to tighten the gap with India. Wheat is also grown across much of the United States, with North Dakota and the 'Wheat State' Kansas producing the largest volumes.
What makes this market unusual is that the biggest producers are also the biggest consumers. Wheat consumption worldwide has climbed steadily, surpassing 800 million metric tons in 2024/25 and is forecast to rise further the following year. Although largely self-sufficient, China imports millions of tons of wheat annually often for quality or blending purposes. South Asia leads all regions in terms of consumption, reflecting the grain's central role in feeding billions of people across the continent.
From Moscow's ports to the global bread basket
When it comes to exports, production volume doesn't always predict trade power. Russia has firmly established itself as the top wheat exporter worldwide, comfortably ahead of the EU in second place. On the import side, countries in hotter climates where wheat doesn't thrive rely heavily on foreign supplies. Egypt and Indonesia rank among the principal wheat importers. This dynamic creates a supply chain where a handful of exporters feed dozens of import-dependent nations, making the market sensitive to disruptions from weather, conflict, or policy shifts.
Global production on the rise but threatened by climate change
The global production volume of wheat rose notably year over year in 2024/25, though global wheat stocks tightened before a projected rebound in 2025/26. As one of the most important staple foods, a large variety of different products contain high amounts of wheat. Consequently, the global consumption is forecast to grow by about 2.4 percent between 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Improved crop varieties, modern farming techniques and use of fertilizers and pesticides has led to increased production, but the crop is increasingly threatened by climate change and extreme weather. Hot and dry weather threatens wheat crops in parts of China whereas India experiences over 100聽heat wave days in a year. Researchers also fear that climate change is conducive to fungus that鈥檚 causes blast, a disease that significantly impacts wheat production. As these pressures mount, sustaining output will increasingly depend on adaption measures and improved water management especially in the warmer climate areas.聽
