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Wheat Exporters: The Largest Wheat Exporting Countries
Wheat is traded by a small number of exporters and bought by many importing countries. This guide shows who leads the trade, where the cargoes are loaded and who buys them.
The largest exporters
OEC trade data for 2024 shows world exports of wheat of about USD 57 billion. The largest exporting countries were Russia (16.1 percent), Canada (13.6), the United States (11.5), Australia (10.4), Ukraine (7.8) and France (7.4). Argentina is a smaller exporter by value but a regular supplier to Brazil and to buyers in Asia and Africa.
Where the wheat is loaded
Russian and Ukrainian wheat is loaded at Black Sea ports; see the Shipfixing guide to Black Sea grain shipping. Canadian wheat travels from the Prairies to Vancouver on the Pacific coast or through the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence. United States wheat leaves from Gulf and Pacific Northwest ports. Australian wheat is shipped from southern and western ports after a harvest that ends around the turn of the year. French wheat leaves from Atlantic and Channel ports towards Africa.
The largest buyers
Egypt (9.1 percent of world imports), Indonesia (5.7), China (5.5), Italy (4.3), Nigeria (3.7) and the Philippines (3.3) were the largest importers in 2024. Many importing countries buy through government tenders, which set the quality, the port and the shipment window for all bidders.
Classes and quality
Wheat is traded by type and by protein: milling wheat with a higher protein for flour, and feed wheat for animals. A contract names the class, the protein and moisture, the test weight, the foreign matter and the inspection company, and the importing country can ask for a phytosanitary certificate.
Delivery terms and ships
Most wheat is sold FOB or CIF; see FOB vs CFR vs CIF. Cargoes go on Handysize, Supramax and Panamax bulk carriers, from 20,000 to 70,000 tonnes.
Wheat on Comdity
Open the wheat page to see the active sell offers and buy requests, or post a listing. Read how to find commodity suppliers for the checks to make before a first deal.
Seasons and shipping windows
Wheat is harvested at different times in different countries, so some exporter is always shipping. The northern hemisphere harvest starts in early summer, and the Black Sea and Europe ship strongly from July. Canada and the United States ship from late summer and autumn. Australia and Argentina harvest at the turn of the year and ship in the first months. Buyers use the calendar to find the cheapest origin for the month they need.
What to check before you buy
Ask for the class and the protein level, the falling number for milling wheat, the test weight and the moisture. Ask which inspection company will issue the certificate at loading and which documents the exporter provides. If the importing country has rules on the origin of wheat or on pests, such as limits on certain seeds, write them into the contract and ask for the right certificates.
The largest exporting and importing countries (2024)
| Top exporting countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Russia | 16.1% |
| Canada | 13.6% |
| United States | 11.5% |
| Australia | 10.4% |
| Ukraine | 7.8% |
| France | 7.4% |
| Romania | 4.3% |
| Argentina | 3.7% |
| Top importing countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 9.1% |
| Indonesia | 5.7% |
| China | 5.5% |
| Italy | 4.3% |
| Nigeria | 3.7% |
| Philippines | 3.3% |
| Spain | 3.1% |
| Algeria | 3.1% |
Source: OEC (BACI/CEPII), 2024, customs codes 1001. The figures count trade by every mode of transport, not only by sea.
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