Rising to a series high
China Wheat Production moved from 132.6 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+5.6%), an average of +0.6% a year. The series high was 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024 and the low 131.4 Million Tonnes in 2018.
What China Wheat Production shows
China Wheat Production was 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024, up 2.6% on 2023. China remained the world's largest wheat producer between 2015 and 2024, demonstrating consistent growth supported by extensive cultivation areas, advanced agricultural practices, government support, and increasing productivity. Wheat is one of China's most important staple crops and plays a critical role in national food security, supporting the country's large population and food processing industries.
A 6.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2018) is 8.66 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +2.6% in 2024.
Ranks 1 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2024. It accounts for 17.5% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
China 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 140.1 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 136.6 | −0.8% |
| 2022 | 137.7 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 136.9 | +2% |
| 2020 | 134.3 | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 133.6 | +1.6% |
| 2018 Trough | 131.4 | −2.1% |
| 2017 | 134.2 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 133.3 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 132.6 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia
Wheat Production by country, 2024, Million Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1China140.1
2India113.3
3Japan1.03
4Saudi Arabia0.820
5Israel0.0904
6South Korea0.0374
7Thailand0.00132
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 increased steadily from approximately 132.64 million tonnes in 2015 to 133.27 million tonnes in 2016 and continued gradual growth in subsequent years. Output reached 134.24 million tonnes in 2017 and remained stable at around 131–134 million tonnes between 2018 and 2020. Production continued expanding after 2021, reaching 136.95 million tonnes in 2021, 137.72 million tonnes in 2022, and 136.59 million tonnes in 2023. In 2024, wheat production reached approximately 140.10 million tonnes, representing the highest level during the observed period. China's strong wheat performance has been supported by government agricultural policies, improved seed varieties, expanded irrigation infrastructure, mechanization, precision farming technologies, and investments in agricultural research. The country has focused on improving yield efficiency, strengthening farmland protection, and enhancing climate resilience to maintain stable grain supplies. Despite challenges such as water resource constraints, climate variability, and changing production costs, China has continued to improve productivity through technological advancement and modern farming methods. The country's large-scale agricultural system and strong domestic demand ensure the continued importance of wheat production within its agricultural sector. With ongoing innovation, sustainable farming practices, and policy support, China is expected to maintain its leading position in global wheat production and remain a key contributor to worldwide food security.
- Indicator
- Wheat Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
- 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 China 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 China Wheat Production in 2024?
China Wheat Production was 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024, up 2.6% on 2023.
How has China Wheat Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
China Wheat Production moved from 132.6 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+5.6%), an average of +0.6% a year. The series high was 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024 and the low 131.4 Million Tonnes in 2018.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Wheat Production?
The highest value was 140.1 Million Tonnes in 2024 and the lowest was 131.4 Million Tonnes in 2018.
What does the China 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 China 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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