Wheat, one of the world’s most essential grains, remains a critical part of diets across continents, from bread and noodles to cereals and animal feed, and current figures show no sign of slowing demand. China stands as the world’s largest wheat consumer, using about 148 million metric tonnes annually.

It’s followed closely by the European Union (113 million tonnes) and India (112.5 million tonnes), underscoring the central role of these regions in global food demand. Beyond these giants, consumption remains significant in countries such as Russia (39.7 million tonnes), Pakistan (31.5 million tonnes), and the United States (31.4 million tonnes).

The USDA’s report notes that strong domestic production in these economies continues to sustain consumption, even as climate variability and regional conflicts disrupt global trade flows.

The FAS attributes this sustained rise in wheat consumption to growing populations, shifting dietary habits, and greater access to processed wheat-based foods. In many developing countries, wheat is increasingly replacing traditional staples due to affordability and ease of use.

Meanwhile, in developed regions, it continues to dominate as a versatile base for baked goods and animal feed. The USDA’s May 2025 “Grain: World Markets and Trade” report highlights that robust harvests in China, India, and parts of the EU are expected to offset production declines in Australia and the Black Sea region.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to weigh on Black Sea exports, a key artery of global wheat trade, threatening to tighten global supplies and push prices higher. Analysts warn that disruptions in this region could echo the food price spikes seen in 2022, when the war severely restricted grain shipments.

The European Union (EU) and China are tied at the top, each producing around 140 million metric tonnes of wheat, solidifying their status as the world’s wheat powerhouses.

The global wheat landscape in numbers

The latest USDA report paints a clear picture of where the world’s wheat comes from. Here’s how the top 10 producers stack up (in 1,000 metric tonnes):

Together, these nations account for over 90% of global wheat output, underscoring how concentrated global production remains in just a handful of regions.

Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world — providing about 20% of global calorie intake. But in 2025, wheat’s role is more than just feeding people. It’s also at the centre of discussions on food security, climate resilience, and global trade stability.

Recent global developments — from conflicts in Eastern Europe to climate-related droughts and floods — have kept wheat in the spotlight. For example, Ukraine’s 23 million-tonne output continues to be affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, while Australia’s lower yields are tied to extended dry conditions linked to El Niño.

While Europe and China dominate, India’s expanding wheat production is closing the gap. The South Asian giant has invested heavily in high-yield seed varieties and irrigation infrastructure. However, with population growth and rising domestic demand, much of India’s wheat stays at home rather than entering the export market.

Russia and the United States remain critical exporters, supplying key markets in Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Canada and Australia continue to set benchmarks for grain quality and sustainability, even as they face increasing climate risks.

According to the Centre, Ethiopia now produces 65% of all wheat grown in sub-Saharan Africa.

Recent projects, like ADAPT-Wheat, have introduced heat-resistant wheat varieties to increase production in lowland areas of the country.

These efforts have helped farmers grow more wheat in new areas.

Wheat production has also been boosted by support from the African Development Bank, with an investment of $1.2 billion in agriculture and other sectors.

Experts say increasing local production of wheat can help reduce Africa’s wheat imports.

Ethiopia’s agriculture reforms aim to improve productivity and ensure food security.