TOP 10 Wheat Producing Countries in 2020/21

China remains the world's leading wheat producer, with the area harvested decreasing and yields increasing for the second consecutive year. The country harvested 134.33 mln t of wheat in 2020/21, slightly short of its 2017/18 record. Almost all of the grain is sold domestically, with 1 mln t of wheat exported.

Wheat is India's second most important cereal crop. In 2020/21, yields remained at last year's level, but through the 7% increase in sown area and the heaviest monsoon rains in 25 years, production increased by 4.2 mln t or 4%, a record for the country. As in China, the bulk of wheat is sold domestically and only 1.5 mln t is exported.

Russia's wheat harvest in 2020/21 was one of the highest ever recorded and exceeded expectations. In addition to a 5% increase in the harvested area, yields also improved, allowing for a 16% higher crop than in the previous year. Russia is one of the leaders in wheat exports with 39 mln t of shipment in 2020/21, 13% up YoY. It is also worth noting that restrictions on grain exports have been in place in Russia since 15 February. The export tax will be in effect until 1 July 2021: 17.5 mln t of grain (wheat, rye, barley and corn) may be exported.

Wheat is the principal cereal crop in the United States and it is produced across the country. US farmers increased their winter wheat sown area for the first time in eight years. Producers were spurred on by higher grain prices amid strong demand and bad weather in several producing countries. At the same time, harvested area decreased slightly (by 2%). Production has been at a low level for the last 3 years (compared to previous seasons). More than half of all wheat produced is exported. In the 2020/21 season, 26.8 mln t have already been shipped.

Exceeding the expectations of traders and experts, Canada's wheat production in 2020/21 reached its highest level in the last 7 years. At the same time, analysts estimate the durum wheat crop to be the highest in the last 4 years at 6.5 mln t.

More than a third (27 mln t) of the total wheat production is exported.

Australia registered a record increase in wheat production of +117% for the year. Exports increased by 141% to 22 mln tonnes, accounting for 67% of production. At the same time, the largest increase in grain production was in New South Wales: 4.5x to 14.8 mln t vs. 3.3 mln t in 2019/20, which was driven by favourable weather conditions in the region.

France is the largest cereal producer in Europe, with crops harvested throughout the territory. Wheat production declined significantly, by 26%, in 2020/21 due to unfavourable weather conditions. Autumn rains slowed sowing and spring drought reduced soft wheat yields, which was one of the reasons for the 6% reduction in the harvested area.

Compared to other grains and oilseeds, the area sown with wheat in Ukraine has not changed significantly over the past five years and has decreased by only 3%.

Ukraine's wheat harvest in 2020/21 was influenced by rather unstable weather conditions, which affected not only general indicator (yield and bulk yield), but also quality parameters. Compared to the previous record season, wheat production in Ukraine decreased by 13%. Almost a third of the harvested volume was exported: 17.5 mln t, 17% down YoY.

Wheat is Pakistan's most popular cereal crop and a staple in people's diets. The harvested area remains close to the level of the past season. In 2020/21, Pakistan actively started importing wheat from other countries to ensure sufficient stock levels in the country and stabilise domestic prices. The country imported 3.4 mln t of wheat. In July-Jan 2020/21, Pakistan imported about 1.3 mln t of Ukrainian and 1.4 mln t of Russian wheat.

Germany is the second largest wheat producer in Europe. Since 2014/15, there has been a decrease in harvested area and production of the crop. Although the country increased wheat production slightly in 2019/20, the area harvested under the crop decreased by 6% and production by 4% in 2020/21.