Global Grain Production to Reach Record Levels in 2025 — FAO Forecast
In 2025, global grain production, including rice in milled equivalent, is expected to reach 2,990 million tons, which is 4.4% higher than the volume in 2024. It is estimated that production growth will affect all major grain crops, with corn showing the largest increase, while rice will show the smallest. It is forecasted that the production volumes of corn and rice in 2025 will reach historical highs.
This is reported by AgroReview
Trends in Grain Consumption and Stocks
Global grain consumption in the 2025–2026 season is projected to be 2,929 million tons, which is an increase of 51.9 million tons (1.8%) compared to the previous season. The main factors driving this growth will be sufficient supply and declining grain prices. At the same time, the use of grains for feed purposes may increase by 2.1%. Increased consumption of feed grains, particularly corn, is expected in major producing countries such as Brazil and the USA. In Asia, an increase in wheat imports for feed purposes is anticipated due to high demand from aquaculture. Additionally, grain consumption in food and other segments will rise, driven by demographic changes and the gradual transformation of dietary habits.
Dynamics of Global Grain Trade
Global grain stocks in 2025 may increase by 5.7% compared to the beginning of the season, reaching a record 916.3 million tons. The largest stock increases are forecasted for corn, particularly in North America, as well as for wheat and barley. At the same time, sorghum stocks may decrease slightly. It is expected that by the end of the 2025–2026 season, global rice stocks will grow by 2.2%, reaching 215.4 million tons, setting a new record. The overall ratio of global grain stocks to consumption will rise to 31.1%, the highest level since the 2017–2018 season.
The volume of global grain trade may increase by 3.2% to 499.5 million tons. Specifically, wheat trade in the 2025–2026 marketing year (July/June) will increase by 9.9 million tons or 5.1% — mainly due to rising imports in Asian countries, where demand will grow by 15.6 million tons. Global trade in feed grains will also continue to develop amid low export prices and increasing demand for animal protein, although volumes will remain lower than in the record season of 2023–2024. It is forecasted that in 2026, global rice trade volumes will increase by 1.2%, reaching 61.1 million tons.
“In 2025, global grain production (including rice in milled equivalent) is projected to exceed 2024 levels by 4.4 percent, reaching a new record of 2,990 million tons.”
Summary Tables
