Wheat supplies globally have been under the constant influence of climatic and human factors, especially with Covid-19 wreaking havoc in Asia, jeopardizing food security. For many Asian countries, apart from human consumption, wheat, corn, and soybeans are used in animal feed to produce beef, pork, poultry, and fish for their domestic markets. China, especially, has shown significant growth in the import of wheat. China's wheat imports, on a value basis over the last five years, rose 166.24% from Australia, 302% from the US, and 207.93% from Canada. Besides China, South Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam increased wheat trade due to additional wheat feeding, while Indonesia’s imports decreased. Strong demand for wheat from China is contributing to higher food prices globally. The connectivity of international trade can be seen in Russia and Ukraine's examples. Although major suppliers for South East Asia countries were the US, Canada, and Australia, the Black Sea corridor is affecting global wheat prices, influencing supply and demand. Because wheat and wheat products are a staple food for the global population, it plays an essential part in food security.

From August to October 2021, the top five wheat importers in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand) received over half of their total sales from Ukraine, Russia, and the EU-27. In 2022, adverse weather conditions hampered wheat production in the EU, while exports from Ukraine are having difficulties reaching Asia countries.

Top Import Flows of Wheat