The United States is a major wheat-producing country, with output typically exceeded only by China, the European Union, and India.
- Wheat ranks third among U.S. field crops in both planted acreage and gross farm receipts, behind corn and soybeans.
- U.S. wheat harvested area has dropped off nearly 30 million acres, or nearly one-third, from its peak in 1981 because of declining returns compared with other crops and changes in government programs that allow farmers more planting flexibility.
- About half of the U.S. wheat crop is exported.
- Despite rising global wheat trade, the U.S. share of the world wheat market has eroded in the past two decades.
ERS analysis and data on wheat include the following:
- Current and historical data on production, use, farm-level prices, and trade.
- Monthly market outlook reports on supply, output, and prices for major classes of wheat; the global trade outlook; and market prospects for major trading countries.
- In-depth analysis of events in domestic and global wheat markets that influence supply, demand, trade, and prices.
Errata: On November 27, 2013, this report was re-released with an updated Domestic Outlook section.