A new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that global wheat consumption in the 2024/25 agricultural year is experiencing steady growth and has become one of the key indicators of national food security. At the top of the list is China, with 151 million tons of wheat consumed — a figure that underscores the country’s deep dependence on stable grain supplies to feed its 1.4 billion people. Following China are India, with 112 million tons, and the European Union, with 108 million tons, in second and third place respectively.
Among the major producers and consumers, Russia and the United States occupy middle positions with 38.2 and 31.3 million tons of wheat consumed, respectively. Pakistan and Egypt, each consuming more than 20 million tons, rank among the high-consumption countries of South Asia and North Africa.
Iran, with 17.1 million tons of wheat consumption this year, ranks tenth globally — a position that further highlights the importance of self-sufficiency in wheat production and the stability of supply chains. Despite facing climatic fluctuations, economic sanctions, and water resource pressures over the past decade, Iran’s sustained place among major consumers reflects its efforts to preserve stability in its national food basket.
Meanwhile, the rise in wheat consumption in countries such as Indonesia, Algeria, and Brazil points to shifting dietary patterns and growing dependence on grain imports. The surge in global wheat prices following the war in Ukraine has posed an additional challenge for developing nations. Under such conditions, food security strategies and support for domestic farmers have become central pillars of global economic policymaking.
NOURNEWS