Wheat is the most important human food grain and ranks second in total production as a cereal crop behind maize; the third being rice. Wheat grain is a staple food used to make flour for leavened, flat and steamed breads; cookies, cakes, pasta, noodles and couscous; and for fermentation to make beer, alcohol, vodka or biofuel.

World Grain Consumption

World grain consumption has risen in each of the last 45 years except for three—1974, 1988, and 1995—when tight supplies and sharp price hikes lowered consumption (See Chart). Growth in world grain demand, traditionally driven by population growth and rising incomes, is also now being driven by the fast growing demand for grain-based fuel ethanol for cars. 

World Wheat Production Chart - click here	World Wheat Production Vs Usage Chart - click here
Argentina Wheat Exports Chart - click here	World Wheat Endings Stock / Use Ratio Chart - click here

Wheat a Key Factor In Developing Countries

When incomes begin to rise, low-income consumers diversify their diets, shifting from a diet dominated by starchy foods, such as rice, corn, wheat, and cassava, to a more diverse diet, one that incorporates grain-intensive products such as meat, milk, and eggs.  In high-income countries like the United States and Canada, grain consumed indirectly in the form of livestock products far exceeds that consumed directly as food.

Crop Management Factors

Crop management decisions require the knowledge of stage of development of the crop. In particular, spring fertilizers applications, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators are typically applied at specific stages of plant development. For example, current recommendations often indicate the second application of nitrogen be done when the ear (not visible at this stage) is about 1 cm in size.

Knowledge of stages is also key to identify periods of higher risk, in terms of climate. For example, the meïosis stage is extremely susceptible to low temperatures (under 4 °C) or high temperatures (over 25 °C). Farmers also benefit from knowing when the flag leaf (last leaf) appears as this leaf represents about 75% of photosynthesis reactions during the grain filling period and as such should be preserved from disease or insect attacks to ensure a good yield.

Wheat Outlook - Every month the USDA publish their Global Outlook on wheat, which examines supply, use, prices, and trade for wheat, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries including Argentina. If you want to find out further information with regards to the wheat outlook it can be found here: Economic Research Service at the U.S Department Of Agriculture