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.
South America Wheat Production was 29.90 Million Tonnes in 2024, up 8.1% on 2023. South America remained an important wheat-producing region between 2015 and 2024, led primarily by Argentina and Brazil, while Chile, Colombia, and several other countries contributed smaller shares of regional output. Wheat production plays a vital role in supporting domestic food industries, livestock feed, and export markets across the continent.
South America Wheat Production moved from 21.09 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 29.90 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+41.8%), an average of +4% a year. The series high was 33.81 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 21.09 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2015) is 12.72 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +41.5% in 2016.
Within South America, Argentina has the highest value in 2024 at 18.51 Million Tonnes, 61.9% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Million Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29.90 | +8.1% |
| 2023 | 27.67 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 26.81 | −20.7% |
| 2021Peak | 33.81 | +21.5% |
| 2020 | 27.82 | −5% |
| 2019 | 29.29 | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 28.07 | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 26.35 | −11.7% |
| 2016 | 29.83 | +41.5% |
| 2015 Trough | 21.09 | — |
Data definition
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.
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.
Regional production trends reflected changes in cultivated area, climatic conditions, technological advancements, and annual crop yields, with weather variability remaining one of the most significant factors influencing production levels.
Argentina consistently remained the largest wheat producer in South America, with production fluctuating between 11.31 million tonnes and 22.15 million tonnes during the decade. Strong export demand, favourable farming conditions in several years, and continuous improvements in agricultural productivity supported its leading position. Brazil ranked as the second-largest producer, with production increasing from approximately 5.51 million tonnes in 2015 to a peak of 10.34 million tonnes in 2022 before moderating to 7.63 million tonnes in 2024. Chile maintained relatively stable production, generally ranging between 1.11 million tonnes and 1.73 million tonnes, while Colombia recorded comparatively smaller and more variable output. The remaining South American countries collectively contributed a significant share of regional wheat production, reflecting the continent's diverse agricultural landscape and expanding cultivation in suitable growing areas.
Overall, South America's wheat production demonstrated steady long-term growth despite periodic weather-related disruptions, changing market conditions, and production cost fluctuations. Continued investment in improved seed varieties, precision agriculture, mechanization, sustainable farming techniques, and efficient resource management has strengthened agricultural productivity across the region. Supported by favourable natural resources and expanding export opportunities, South America is expected to remain an important contributor to global wheat production and international grain trade.
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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.
South America Wheat Production was 29.90 Million Tonnes in 2024, up 8.1% on 2023.
South America Wheat Production moved from 21.09 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 29.90 Million Tonnes in 2024 (+41.8%), an average of +4% a year. The series high was 33.81 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the low 21.09 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 33.81 Million Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 21.09 Million Tonnes in 2015.
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.
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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