The global grain market is expected to see a slight increase in use by 0.5% in 2024/25, primarily driven by higher food consumption, particularly rice and wheat. However, the use of grains as feed is projected to decrease slightly. As a result, global grain stocks are expected to rise by 0.6% to 889 million tonnes. Despite this, global grain trade is predicted to fall by 3.9% in 2024/25 due to a anticipated decrease in global wheat and feed grain trade, while rice trade is expected to increase.
Wheat production is expected to reach the second-highest level on record in 2024, largely due to expansion in Asia, and despite challenges such as drought in the U.S. and heavy rain in Europe. In contrast, feed grain production is forecast to fall to its second-highest level on record in 2024, mainly due to a significant decline in global maize production caused by adverse weather conditions. Rice plantings are expected to reach record levels in the 2024/25 season, potentially leading to global rice production exceeding the already high 2023/24 results.