US flour production falls to 12-year low in 2023

Flour production in the United States in 2023 fell to a 12-year low, amounting to 419.757 million cwt. The last quarter of 2023 witnessed the lowest level of flour production since 2010. Compared to the record level of 2022, production decreased by 2.4%, or 10.527 million quintals. As the information portal Grain-info notes, the main factor contributing to the decline in flour production in the United States was the shortage of wheat. 903.938 million bushels of wheat were produced in 2023, down 2.7% from the previous year. Adverse weather conditions such as drought and floods have impacted yields and reduced wheat supplies. Instability in the global wheat market has also contributed to the decline in U.S. flour production. Rising wheat prices during the year led some mills to limit production to cut costs."The fall in flour production has implications for a variety of industries. Bakeries have seen higher flour prices, which has led to higher costs for baked goods. Pasta producers ...