We found top three importers and exporters of wheat in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2008. This link contains the data and charts: Column chart 1 shows top 3 importers, and column chart 2 shows top 3 exporters.
It is worth to note that China used to import much but not any more as a result of improving yield and other efforts to increase production. Recently, Iran and Egypt became big importers of wheat. EU-15, which used to be a big importer in 1960 and 1970, turned to a big exporter in 1980 and 1990,which will be shown in top three exporters chart below. Look at column chart1 for changing 3 biggest importers over time.
The column chart2 shows 3 biggest exporters. It shows that US has been one of the top three wheat exporters, as is expected from the previous post about per capita wheat production. Canada and Australia, also commonly known big exporters of grains, appear in the chart. Compared to top importing countries, exporting countries have not changed much over time. As biofuel production is increasing in some of the big exporters, such as US, big importing countries should ensure their food security problem.
In today’s world where water resource is gaining more significance, importing/exporting goods should be considered beyond as trading commodities. It is a trade of virtual water, the amount of water embedded in products needed for their production.
(work by Timothy Gildner and Ju Young Lee)
As is expected from the previous post about per capita wheat production. Canada and Australia, also commonly known big exporters of grains, appear in the chart. Compared to top importing countries, exporting countries have not changed much over time.