Lower over the period
Africa Wheat Production moved from 29.09 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 26.10 Million Tonnes in 2024 (−10.3%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 31.23 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 23.35 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What Africa Wheat Production shows
Africa Wheat Production was 26.10 Million Tonnes in 2024, down 0.5% on 2023. Africa's wheat production experienced relatively stable growth between 2015 and 2024, supported by expanding cultivation, improved agricultural practices, and increasing efforts to strengthen domestic food production. Wheat is an important cereal crop across several African countries, particularly in North Africa, where it serves as a staple food and plays a vital role in national food security.
A 25.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2016) is 7.88 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +21.5% in 2021.
Egypt leads the region
Within Africa, Egypt has the highest value in 2024 at 9.40 Million Tonnes, 36% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Wheat Production by country, 2024
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 9.40 | +3.7% | |
| 2 | South Africa | 1.92 | −6.1% | |
| 3 | Nigeria | 0.0439 | −10.1% |
By region
Wheat Production by region
Million Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Africa Wheat Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26.10 | −0.5% |
| 2023 | 26.24 | −1.2% |
| 2022 | 26.55 | −15% |
| 2021Peak | 31.23 | +21.5% |
| 2020 | 25.70 | −3.9% |
| 2019 | 26.74 | −9.7% |
| 2018 | 29.61 | +10.6% |
| 2017 | 26.78 | +14.7% |
| 2016 Trough | 23.35 | −19.7% |
| 2015 | 29.09 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Wheat Production — Wheat production refers to the total quantity of wheat harvested from agricultural activities within a country or region over a specific period, generally measured in tonnes. This macro indicator represents the annual output of wheat cultivation, reflecting changes in farming practices, cultivated area, crop yields, weather conditions, technological advancements, and agricultural productivity. The indicator tracks the volume of wheat produced globally to evaluate production trends, regional performance, and the overall development of the wheat industry.
Wheat production includes the total harvested output of wheat crops grown for food, animal feed, and industrial uses. It covers all varieties and types of wheat cultivated through commercial farming and agricultural practices, including wheat produced by small-scale farmers and large-scale agricultural operations. The indicator includes annual wheat harvest volumes across different countries and regions, capturing variations caused by changes in cultivation area, yield improvements, irrigation, climate conditions, and advancements in farming technology.
Wheat production excludes processed wheat products such as flour, bakery products, pasta, and other wheat-based food items. It does not include wheat imports, exports, trade volumes, storage inventories, or consumption levels. The indicator also excludes other cereal crops such as rice, maize, barley, and oats, as well as post-harvest processing activities and value-added products derived from wheat. Only the primary agricultural production of harvested wheat is considered within this macro indicator.
About this indicator
Wheat Production — Wheat production refers to the total quantity of wheat harvested from agricultural activities within a country or region over a specific period, generally measured in tonnes. This macro indicator represents the annual output of wheat cultivation, reflecting changes in farming practices, cultivated area, crop yields, weather conditions, technological advancements, and agricultural productivity. The indicator tracks the volume of wheat produced globally to evaluate production trends, regional performance, and the overall development of the wheat industry.
Production trends during the decade were influenced by irrigation availability, rainfall patterns, cultivated area, government support programmes, and technological improvements in farming.
Egypt consistently remained Africa's largest wheat producer throughout the period, with annual production remaining relatively stable between 8.35 million tonnes and 9.84 million tonnes. Strong irrigation systems along the Nile River, improved farming techniques, and government initiatives helped sustain production despite climatic challenges. South Africa ranked among the region's notable producers, with production fluctuating between 1.44 million tonnes and 2.29 million tonnes, reflecting variations in rainfall and seasonal growing conditions. Nigeria contributed comparatively smaller volumes, with production generally remaining below 0.10 million tonnes, highlighting the country's limited domestic wheat cultivation and continued reliance on imports. The remaining African countries collectively accounted for a substantial share of regional production, demonstrating the widespread cultivation of wheat across diverse climatic regions and agricultural systems.
Overall, Africa's wheat production showed resilience despite challenges including water scarcity, climate variability, rising production costs, and limited arable land in several regions. Ongoing investments in improved seed varieties, irrigation infrastructure, mechanization, sustainable farming practices, and agricultural research are expected to enhance long-term productivity. With growing population demand and increasing policy support for domestic grain production, Africa is likely to strengthen its contribution to global wheat production while improving regional food security.
- Indicator
- Wheat Production
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Wheat Production?
Wheat production refers to the total quantity of wheat harvested from agricultural activities within a country or region over a specific period, generally measured in tonnes. This macro indicator represents the annual output of wheat cultivation, reflecting changes in farming practices, cultivated area, crop yields, weather conditions, technological advancements, and agricultural productivity. The indicator tracks the volume of wheat produced globally to evaluate production trends, regional performance, and the overall development of the wheat industry.
What was Africa Wheat Production in 2024?
Africa Wheat Production was 26.10 Million Tonnes in 2024, down 0.5% on 2023.
How has Africa Wheat Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
Africa Wheat Production moved from 29.09 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 26.10 Million Tonnes in 2024 (−10.3%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 31.23 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 23.35 Million Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Wheat Production?
The highest value was 31.23 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 23.35 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What does the Africa Wheat Production data include and exclude?
Included: Wheat production includes the total harvested output of wheat crops grown for food, animal feed, and industrial uses. It covers all varieties and types of wheat cultivated through commercial farming and agricultural practices, including wheat produced by small-scale farmers and large-scale agricultural operations. The indicator includes annual wheat harvest volumes across different countries and regions, capturing variations caused by changes in cultivation area, yield improvements, irrigation, climate conditions, and advancements in farming technology. Excluded: Wheat production excludes processed wheat products such as flour, bakery products, pasta, and other wheat-based food items. It does not include wheat imports, exports, trade volumes, storage inventories, or consumption levels. The indicator also excludes other cereal crops such as rice, maize, barley, and oats, as well as post-harvest processing activities and value-added products derived from wheat. Only the primary agricultural production of harvested wheat is considered within this macro indicator.
Where does the Africa Wheat Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&overlay=download-data&Food=Wheat&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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