10 leading countries in wheat production

According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the leaders in wheat production are the countries of East Asia.

10.Ukraine (24 million tons)

Wheat is grown throughout Ukraine, but the largest income comes from the central and southern parts of the country. Sowing is done in the fall and the harvest is harvested between July and August. Once called the "bread basket of Europe", Ukraine predominantly produces hard red winter wheat used in bakery. The increase in grain production between 2013 and 2014 resulted in its exports to Ukraine growing by 41% in 2014.

9. Australia (25 million tons)

Wheat is one of the most popular crops grown in Australia during the winter. Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are the states with the largest grain production on the continent. Sowing takes place in autumn and harvesting in spring or winter, depending on weather conditions. Western Australia is the largest grain exporter, especially to Asia and the Middle East.

Sales of wheat grown in this state alone generate about $ 2 billion annually. Over the past 30 years, grain production in Western Australia has increased by 1% annually. Wheat for the domestic market is grown on the east coast.

8. Pakistan (26 million tons)

Wheat in Pakistan is the most popular grain and staple in the population's diet. From 2013 to 2014, the area used for wheat sowing increased by 4.4%. Wheat is grown in all parts of Pakistan, with the largest yields in the Punjab and Sindh provinces.

The sediments of rocks carried by the Indus River make the soil in these regions fertile, which is conducive to the cultivation of various crops, including wheat.

7. Germany (28 million tons)

Germany is one of the largest grain producers in the European Union. In 2013, it exported over 9 million tons of grain. According to expert estimates, 7.2 million tons of wheat is ground into flour every year in Germany. In winter, wheat is grown throughout Germany, but most actively in the central part.

Bavaria (19% of Germany's total production) and Lower Saxony (17%) produce the largest amounts of grain. When normal climatic conditions prevail, sowing is carried out in October, and harvesting in August.

6. Canada (29 million tons)

The wheat harvest is the most important for Canada; several types of wheat are grown here: winter, dark spring and durum wheat. Wheat grains are used for a variety of purposes, such as flour for baked goods and as feed for livestock.

Saskatchewan has the largest harvest of durum (76%) and dark spring wheat (55%), followed by Alberta (26% of dark spring and 18% of durum wheat of the country's total production). Meanwhile, Ontario grows 82% of Canada's winter wheat crop.

5. France (39 million tons)

France is the largest grain producer in Europe; its crops are harvested throughout the country. The center of France leads in the production of wheat (16% of the total harvest), followed by Picardy (10%). Winter wheat is the most important grain crop grown in the country and is sown in autumn and harvested in August.

4. USA (55 million tons)

Wheat is the main cereal in the United States and is grown throughout the country. Nearly 55 million tonnes of wheat is produced in the United States, making it the fourth largest grain in the world. In recent years, the States have changed places in the ranking with Russia, which is now on the 3rd line.

According to the USDA classification, there are 8 types of wheat that are grown in the country. The most important are durum wheat (used to make pasta), durum red winter wheat, durum red spring wheat, soft white and durum white.

70-80% of wheat produced in the USA belongs to the winter wheat category (often used in bread baking due to its high gluten content). North Dakota, Kansas, and Montana were the country's largest wheat producers in 2014, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. 50% of the crop is exported, which brings in $ 9 million in annual revenue.

3. Russia (60 million tons)

Russia is the third largest wheat producer in the world. From 2006 to 2011, it was in the top 5 countries that export the largest amount of grain. Winter wheat is the most important cultivar in the country. The crop is mainly grown in the western part of the country near Moscow. Sowing is done between August and the first week of October, and the harvest is harvested between July and August of the following year.

2. India (95 million tons)

Wheat is the second most important grain grown in India after rice. Hundreds of millions of Indians consume it every day. India accounts for about 8.7% of world production, and 13% of all Indian arable land is used for growing wheat. The Green Revolution in India led to an active increase in grain production and a doubling of the harvest, which occurred between the 1960s and 1970s. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh are the main wheat producing states in the country.

1. China (126 million tons)

As the largest wheat producer, China plays an important role in the world grain market. About 126 million tons of wheat is produced in the country annually on an area of 24 million hectares, which is equal to the area of Algeria. Wheat is one of the main products for the Chinese population, 40% of the consumed cereals are wheat. It is grown in the valleys of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers along with corn and in the Yangtze River valley along with rice.