This list reveals the top 10 wheat importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world wheat imports totaled US$40.2 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $9.6 billion worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. Algeria: $1.9 billion
2. Egypt: $1.8 billion
3. Nigeria: $1.1 billion
4. Morocco: $873.8 million
5. Tunisia: $610.7 million
6. Ethiopia: $433.1 million
7. Kenya: $274.4 million
8. South Africa: $266.6 million
9. Sudan (North + South): $262.7 million
10. Tanzania: $222 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $15.8 billion worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. Indonesia: -$1 billion
2. Japan: $1.7 billion
3. Thailand: $1.1 billion
4. Korea, Republic of: $1.1 billion
5. Turkey: $1.1 billion
6. Philippines: $982.1 million
7. China: $886.4 million
8. Bangladesh: $768.4 million
9. Vietnam: $577 million
10. Taiwan: $399.3 million
European Importers
European Union imported $8.2 billion worth of wheat led by the following EU members:
1. Italy: $2 billion
2. Spain: $1.2 billion
3. Netherlands: $1.2 billion
4. Germany: $984.2 million
5. Belgium: $863 million
6. United Kingdom: $421.7 million
7. Portugal: $288.4 million
8. France: $223 million
9. Greece: $216.1 million
10. Austria: $187.3 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $4.1 billion worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $1.2 billion
2. Peru: $533.9 million
3. Venezuela: $494.6 million
4. Colombia: $442.4 million
5. Ecuador: $252.4 million
6. Chile: $200.3 million
7. Cuba: $196.9 million
8. Guatemala: $171.2 million
9. Dominican Republic: $145.6 million
10. Costa Rica: $79.8 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $3.1 billion worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. Iran: $684.2 million
2. Yemen: $658 million
3. Saudi Arabia: $373.4 million
4. Israel: $338.9 million
5. United Arab Emirates: $260.8 million
6. Jordan: $196.7 million
7. Oman: $141.6 million
8. Iraq: $122.1 million
9. Lebanon: $100.9 million
10. Kuwait: $98.7 million
North American Importers
North America imported $1.8 billion worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. Mexico: $1 billion
2. United States: $730.4 million
3. Canada: $35.1 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $245.8 million worth of wheat led by the following countries:
1. New Zealand: $136.1 million
2. Papua New Guinea: $53.4 million
3. Fiji: $46.1 million
4. New Caledonia: $8.6 million
5. Australia: $746,000
6. French Polynesia: $567,000
7. Solomon Islands: $349,000
To see the fastest-growing wheat importers from 2011 to 2015, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage decline for globally imported wheat was -23.9%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Wheat Importers 2015
Fastest-Growing Wheat Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
