Higher over the period
South Africa Wheat Production moved from 1.44 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1.92 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+33.7%), an average of +3.3% a year. The series high was 2.29 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 1.44 Million Tonnes in 2015.
What South Africa Wheat Production shows
South Africa Wheat Production was 1.92 Million Tonnes in 2024, down 6.1% on 2023. South Africa’s wheat production between 2015 and 2024 demonstrated a relatively stable but variable trend, influenced by climatic conditions, farming practices, and changes in agricultural productivity. Wheat production began at approximately 1.44 million tonnes in 2015 and increased to 1.91 million tonnes in 2016, supported by improved yields and favorable production conditions.
A 37% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2015) is 0.845 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +38.1% in 2020.
Ranks 17 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 17 for 2024, behind China (140.1 Million Tonnes) and India (113.3 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.2% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
South 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 | 1.92 | −6.1% |
| 2023 | 2.05 | −2.8% |
| 2022 | 2.11 | −7.7% |
| 2021Peak | 2.29 | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 2.12 | +38.1% |
| 2019 | 1.54 | −17.8% |
| 2018 | 1.87 | +21.7% |
| 2017 | 1.54 | −19.6% |
| 2016 | 1.91 | +32.6% |
| 2015 Trough | 1.44 | — |
Regional context
How South Africa compares in Africa
Wheat Production by country, 2024, Million Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
1Egypt9.40
2South Africa1.92
3Nigeria0.0439
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.
Output declined slightly to 1.53 million tonnes in 2017 before recovering to 1.87 million tonnes in 2018. Production decreased again to 1.53 million tonnes in 2019 due to weather-related challenges but improved significantly to 2.12 million tonnes in 2020. The sector maintained strong performance in subsequent years, producing approximately 2.29 million tonnes in 2021, 2.11 million tonnes in 2022, 2.05 million tonnes in 2023, and 1.92 million tonnes in 2024. Wheat cultivation in South Africa is concentrated mainly in regions such as the Western Cape and Free State, where suitable rainfall patterns, irrigation facilities, and agricultural infrastructure support production. The industry has benefited from improved seed varieties, mechanization, precision agriculture, and efficient crop management techniques. The wheat production indicator measures the annual harvested quantity of wheat cultivated within South Africa and includes production from commercial farms and smaller agricultural operations. It excludes processed wheat products, imports, exports, consumption levels, trade volumes, storage inventories, and post-harvest processing activities. Wheat production plays an important role in supporting domestic food security and supplying raw materials for milling and bakery industries. Despite technological progress, the sector faces challenges including climate variability, production costs, water availability, and competition from imported wheat. Overall, South Africa’s wheat production reflects a developed agricultural system that continues to adapt through innovation, sustainable resource management, and improved farming practices to maintain competitiveness and strengthen domestic grain supply.
- Indicator
- Wheat Production
- Country
- South Africa
- 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 South 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 South Africa Wheat Production in 2024?
South Africa Wheat Production was 1.92 Million Tonnes in 2024, down 6.1% on 2023.
How has South Africa Wheat Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
South Africa Wheat Production moved from 1.44 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1.92 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+33.7%), an average of +3.3% a year. The series high was 2.29 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 1.44 Million Tonnes in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest South Africa Wheat Production?
The highest value was 2.29 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 1.44 Million Tonnes in 2015.
What does the South 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 South 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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