Charted: Global Wheat Production, by Country

Charted: 800 Million Tonnes of Wheat Production by Country

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Global wheat production crossed 800 million tonnes in 2022, which makes it the second-most cultivated grain after corn.

From different kinds of noodles to all the varieties of breads, wheat is a staple crop for a dizzying array of diets across countries. But who grows the most and by how much?

This graphic breaks down the world’s largest wheat producers in 2022, based on data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO).

Ranked: Global Wheat Producers in 2022

Wheat production is largely diversified around the world, though three major producers emerge: China, India, and Russia. All produce upwards of 100 million tonnes per year.

According to data from the OEC, Russia’s top export destinations for its wheat are Türkiye (35%) and Egypt (29%).

Ukraine (21 million tonnes) is also a key wheat producer (#11) and exporter. Its outbound shipments dropped rapidly after the Russian invasion, sending food prices soaring. The Ukrainian government has since established new export routes that hug the Black Sea’s western coastline, where the waters are too shallow for attacking submarines.

Meanwhile the U.S. is the biggest wheat producer (45 million tonnes) from the Americas, ranked 5th overall. North Dakota, Kansas, Washington are some of the top producers by state.

A quick look at the list of top wheat producing countries reveals a mostly even split between Europe and Asia, two continents with wildly different weather patterns and climates.

Unlike rice, which requires hot, humid weather, wheat is a versatile crop, and grows everywhere (except Antarctica). It has the highest protein percent and the third-highest energy content of all grains. Crucially it does not require a lot of water to grow, helping it thrive in otherwise dry climates.

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If you enjoyed this article, check out Charted: 776 Million Tonnes of Rice Production by Country for insights into which nations lead the rice producers’ ranks.