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Crop Value Chains: Wheat Global Analysis

EPAR TECHNICAL REPORT #199

Fri, 07/27/2012

AUTHORS: Justin Paulsen, Alexander Chew, Karina Derksen-Shrock, C. Leigh Anderson, Mary Kay Gugerty

ABSTRACT: 

Over the past 20 years, global wheat production and consumption have increased significantly. Production has increased 28%, or about 1.3% annually, and consumption has increased about 24%, or 1.1% annually. A small number of countries consistently account for over 90% of the export market, but the import market is more diversified and involves many more countries. Wheat is primarily used for food, seed, and industry; only 20% of wheat production is used for animal feed. This brief provides a global overview of the wheat value chain, but with specific attention to three focus countries: Ethiopia, India (specifically the Bihar region), and Bangladesh. While these three countries currently have a limited impact in the global wheat market, projections of wheat production and demand suggest that over the next 20 years demand in Bangladesh and Ethiopia will increasingly exceed supply, while India will become a net importer by 2030.

This report is part of a broader series of reports on crop value chains. Follow the links below to explore the other reports in this series:

  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bihar, India (EPAR Technical Report #202)
  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bangladesh (EPAR Technical Report #203)
  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Ethiopia (EPAR Technical Report #204)
  • Crop Value Chains: Yams in Ghana (EPAR Technical Report #206)
  • Crop Value Chains: Yams in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #207)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Tanzania (EPAR Technical Report #211)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Uganda (EPAR Research Brief #217)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Ethiopia (EPAR Research Brief #219)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #220)
  • Crop Value Chains: Cassava Global Analysis (EPAR Technical Report #223)
  • Crop Value Chains: Bananas and Plantains in West Africa (EPAR Technical Report #239)

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Literature Review

RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORY: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods; Agricultural Inputs & Farm Management; Market & Value Chain Analysis

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Global; South Asia Region and Selected Countries; East Africa Region and Selected Countries

DATASET(S): FAOSTAT; Other Datasets

Downloadable Documents

Full Report