Top 10 Wheat Producing Countries 2023

List of Top 10 Countries of Wheat Production: The top 10 wheat-producing countries in the world are China, India, Russia, the United States, France, Ukraine, Australia, Pakistan, Canada, and Germany. China is the world’s largest producer of wheat with 136.9 million metric tonnes of wheat production in the year 2022-23. Followed by India and Russia as the second and third-highest wheat-producing countries with 109.6 and 76.1 million tonnes of annual wheat production.

In this article, we will look into the list of top ten wheat-producing countries and their contributions to global wheat production.

About Wheat Production

Wheat, a cereal grain and dietary foundation for a significant portion of the world’s population, plays a crucial role in global agriculture. As one of the most widely cultivated and consumed crops, wheat serves as a primary source of nourishment for billions of people, contributing to the sustenance of diverse diets worldwide. Its adaptability to various climates and versatile uses make it a cornerstone in the agricultural landscape. This article delves into the top 10 wheat-producing countries in 2023, highlighting their contributions to the vast and essential realm of wheat production on the global stage.

List of Top 10 Wheat-Producing Countries 2023

The following table lists the top 10 Wheat-producing countries in the world in the year 2023:

Countries	Annual Production of Wheat (Million Tonnes)
China	136.9
India	109.6
Russia	76.1
United States	44.8
France	36.6
Ukraine	32.2
Australia	31.9
Pakistan	27.5
Canada	22.3
Germany	21.5

Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World –China

China is the largest producer of wheat with total production of 136.9 million metric tonnes of wheat in 2023. China started wheat farming around 600 A.D. during the Sui dynasty. China’s northern region dominate in the wheat production. There are three wheat-producing regions in the country: the northern and southern winter wheat regions and the southern spring wheat region. 60 to 70% of the total wheat production in China take place in northern winter wheat region, followed by the southern winter wheat region with 25%.  In 2023 heavy rainfall affected the production of wheat and its quality.

• Wheat yield of China increased from 37,766 hg per ha in 2002 to 58,101 hg per ha in 2021 growing at an average annual rate of 2.32%.
• Triticum spp.: common (T. aestivum) durum (T. durum) spelt (T. spelta) are various variety of wheat produced in China. Common and durum wheat are the main types. Among common wheat, the main varieties are spring and winter, hard and soft, and red and white.
• China is also worlds largest consumer of wheat.
• A high-yield and good-quality variety of wheat for making bread, named “Quality 9507,” has recently been developed by the Chinese Academy of Agriculture.

Second Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – India

India is the second largest producer of wheat after China. In 2022, about 31 million hectares of wheat was cultivated. The northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are the main producer of wheat. India is one of the major exporters of wheat and maximum export is to the countries Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. Consumption of wheat was over 103 million metric tons in 2022. Different products formed from wheat include all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat bran, semolina, and wheat germ.

• Wheat production in India started around 8000-6000 B.C.
• After the Green Revolution India became self sufficient in the wheat production.
• It is the most consumed crop after rice.
• The wheat crop is cultivated in the Rabi (winter) season and harvested in the spring or summer season.
• There are about 448 varieties of wheat grown in India.
• India’s per hectare yield of wheat is also lower by a 1,661 kg per hectare compared to China’s 4,838 kg.
• India’s productivity of the major crop is also lower when compared with other neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh (4,219 kg) and Myanmar (4,081 kg).

Third Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Russia

Russia is the third largest producer of wheat and accounts for almost 12 percent of global wheat production. Total wheat yield is around 3.17 tons per hectare, up 17 percent from last year(2022) and 12 percent above the 5-year average. The production volume of wheat in Russia was forecast to continuously increase between 2023 and 2032 by in total 11.6 billion tonnes. Winter and spring wheat are harvested in 16.3 mha and 12.7 mha of the total cultivable area.

• Russia is the world largest exporter of the wheat.
• Maximum export of the wheat is to the countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
• Russia wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is estimated at 90.0 million metric tons (mmt).
• Winter wheat accounts for about 70 percent of total wheat production in Russia.
• Maximum wheat is produced in the Southern, the Central, the Volga, and the North Caucasus District.
• Spring wheat, which accounts for the remaining 30 percent is mostly grown in Siberia, Urals, and Volga.

Fourth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – United States

U.S is the fourth largest wheat producing country in the world and produces 6-7 % of the world’s wheat. The United States produced almost 45 million metric tons of wheat during 2022/20223. The United States ranks among the top five global wheat exporters. About 50% of wheat is exported to other countries, 36% is used for human consumption, 10% is used for animal feed, and lastly, 4% is used for seedling. Around 45.7 million acres of wheat were cultivated and about 35.5 million acres were harvested in 2022.

• Almost every state in the US produces wheat, however, it is mainly produced in the Midwest and mountain states.
• In 2022, North Dakota state was the leading producer and had a wheat production of 300 million bushels.
• The United States’ top wheat importers are the Philippines, Mexico, and Japan.
• Imports of wheat flour and products have averaged around 1 million metric tons annually over the same 10 years
• Wheat-product imports consist mainly of pasta and noodles from Canada, the European Union, and Asia.

Fifth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – France

France is the European Union’s largest wheat producing country and fifth largest in the world with total production of 36.6 million tonne. Major production of the wheat take place in the northern regions of the country. The parts of Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Picardie, Haute-Normandie and Nord-Pas-de-Calais are responsible for 51% of the wheat harvest.

• France is also the largest exporter of wheat in the European Union.
• An estimate of 33.7 million tonnes of wheat production take place in 2022-23, which is a decline of 5% compared to previous market year.
• A relatively more drop was predicted for Durum production and export.
• The French Ministry of Agriculture predicted a 1.7% increase in planting area which is estimated to be 4.77 million hectares.
• The optimal nitrogen input usage results in high average protein content at national level and that’s why a protein rate of 11.5% is reported for over 91% of wheat.

Sixth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Ukraine

As per the statistics of European Commission, Ukraine holds 10% contribution of the world wheat market. Among the different types of wheat, the main types of wheat associated with Ukraine production are common and durum types. The various varieties covered under common wheat are hard and soft, spring and winter, and red and white wheat. Among these varieties, winter wheat accounts for 95% of the total area utilized in Ukraine for wheat production.

• Although wheat is produced throughout Ukraine, eastern and southern oblasts are the major regions where wheat is grown.
• In the past, wheat accounted for 40% to 50% of the total cereal crop production and over more than half of the agro-businesses in Ukraine were associated with wheat production.
• In 2020, Ukraine produced 25,240 thousand tonnes of wheat. However, in current scenario, a decrease of 20% year-over-year wheat production rate has been forcasted. This decline signifies a drop of 50% wheat production from the prewar (Rusia-Ukraine war) period 

Seventh Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Australia

In the southern hemisphere, Australia is reported to be the largest wheat producer with 17-33 million tons of wheat production per year. With a harvest area of 13.2 million hectares (mha), an estimate of 2.52 tons of yield per hectare is made. There are five main wheat growing states in Australia, including, western Australia (37%), New South Wales (28%), Victoria (15%), Queensland (4%), and South Australia (15%). The largest producer among all these regions is the western Australia which accounts for 37% of the country’s total wheat production.

• In 2023, Commodity Intelligence Report stated the weather and environment conditions prevailing over these wheat growing regions throughout the year.
• The production rate in Australia declined when very dry conditions were observed in May after a favourable rainfall conditions in April.
• The unexpected dry weather in July and August resulted in low moisture content in soil across a wide band that covers south-west western Australia, southern south Australia, eastern and south-central Victoria, New south wales, eastern Tasmania, and southern Queensland. Therefore, overall Australia’s production potential reduced due to dry conditions.

Eighth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Pakistan

Pakistan is the eighth largest wheat producing country in the world. Wheat is the largest food crop of Pakistan as more than 60% of the food contain wheat. Major wheat producing area in Pakistan are Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan. Punjab, the major wheat-growing province, produced 21.2 million tonnes. Production in other provinces — Sindh (3.8 million), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1.4 million) and Baluchistan (1.6 million).

• Wheat is grown on about 9 million ha, that is 40 percent of the country’s total cultivated land.
• Pakistan imported 2.6 million tonnes of wheat in 2022 and total consumption grows to 30.2 million tonnes from 29.2 million tonnes.
• Wheat accounts for 37.1 % of the crop area, 65 % of the food grain acreage, and 70 % of the production.
• In 2023/2024 wheat production is forecast at 27.0 million tons, two percent higher than 2022/23. Favorable weather conditions and better availability of irrigation water have increased wheat yield expectations.

Ninth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Canada

Canada in 2022, produced around 34 million metric tons of wheat, increase from about 22.4 million metric tons the previous year. Wheat is grown on nearly 50,000 farms in Canada from coast to coast. The majority of wheat is grown on the Prairies and other wheat growing areas are British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

• Ten wheat classes are grown in Western Canada and seven in Eastern Canada.
• The most predominant are: Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS), Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD), Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) and Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter (CESRW). Within each class of wheat are multiple varieties with specific qualities and characteristics.
• Canada is the world’s leading exporter of Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat. It has high protein content, rich yellow colour and high semolina yield.
• Canada harvest about 30 million metric tonnes of wheat on average, which is about 7 times what Canadians consume.
• Wheat of Canada is famous for its protein, quality and versatility.
• Around 20 million tonnes of Canadian wheat was exported in 2021.
• Top export countries include the United States, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Peru, Japan, and Italy.

Tenth Largest Wheat-Producing Country in the World – Germany

Germany is the tenth largest wheat producing country in the world. The major growing areas of Germany is the central part of the country. Bayren state produces maximum wheat which is around 19 percent of Germany’s total wheat production. Niedersachsen is the second largest wheat producing state in Germany, growing 17 percent of all the wheat in Germany. Winter wheat is the most common variety of wheat that is grown through out Germany. The planting season for winter wheat begins around the first of October and harvest begins the next August.

• In Western Europe Germany has the largest area under wheat.
• About 24% of Germany’s arable land is used for wheat, that is about 2.7 million hectares.
• About 30% of wheat is used for bread flour, 70% for fodder.
• Three different systems of wheat production are used: organic, conventional and integrated.
• Germany is the European Union’s second largest wheat producer after France.

Summary – List of Top 10 Wheat-Producing Countries

To sum up, wheat is the most common staple food in the world. It isessential crop for feeding the world’s expanding population. Wheat grows better in warmer conditions, where it’s not too cold and not too hot. The top ten wheat producing countries are essential to maintaining food security in the world. Around 781 million metric tons of wheat were produced worldwide during the 2022–2023 marketing year which is an increase of 1 million compared to the previous period. The market for wheat was estimated to be worth US$127.7 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to rise to US$169.1 billion by 2027.

FAQs- List of Top 10 Wheat-Producing Countries

1. What is the Rank of India in wheat production?

India holds the second position globally in terms of wheat production with total production of 109.6 million tonne. The world’s largest producer of wheat is China with total production of 136.9 million tonne.

2. Which country is the highest producer of wheat?

China is the highest producer of wheat in the world with total production of 136.9 million tonne. China is also worlds largest consumer of wheat.

3. What is the status of wheat production in the world?

World Wheat Production in 2023/2024 is around 783.43 millions tons. Wheat production in the last year was 789.50 million tons. So, wheat production this year will show a decrease of 6.06 million tons or 0.77% less than the previous year.

4. What are the top 5 countries that export wheat?

The top 5 countries that export wheat are United States, Australia, Canada, France and Russia. These wheat producing countries are essential to maintaining food security in the world.

5. Which is the best quality of wheat?

The best quality wheat is Durum wheat. It is also known as pasta wheat or macaroni wheat. It is one of the best quality of wheat that is grown in India.

6. What is Pakistan ranked in wheat production?

Pakistan is the eighth largest wheat producing country in the world. In Pakistan wheat is the largest food crop and account for 60% of the total diet. Major wheat producing area in Pakistan are Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan.