From wheat wars and dairy dominance to avocado diplomacy and pineapple prosperity, the global agricultural trade industry's staggering 2022 statistics reveal a world where strategic exports and voracious imports are redrawing the map of food security and economic power.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, global wheat exports reached 208.5 million metric tons, with the European Union accounting for 33% of the total at 68.9 million metric tons
- The United States exported 50.3 million metric tons of corn in 2022, representing 45% of global corn trade volume of 111.8 million metric tons
- Russia was the largest wheat exporter in 2022 with 43.8 million metric tons, up 20% from 2021 due to favorable weather conditions
- In 2022, global soybean exports totaled 175.2 million metric tons, with Brazil supplying 97 million metric tons or 55%
- United States soybean exports reached 47.8 million metric tons in 2022, down 10% due to competition from South America
- Argentina exported 4.5 million metric tons of soybeans in 2022, focusing on processed products
- In 2022, global beef exports totaled 12.8 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent, with Brazil leading at 2.3 million metric tons
- United States exported 1.4 million metric tons of beef in 2022, primarily to Japan and South Korea
- Australia's beef exports reached 1.5 million metric tons in 2022, 70% to Asia-Pacific markets
- In 2022, global milk exports in milk equivalent reached 85.6 million metric tons, New Zealand leading with 32.1 million metric tons or 37%
- European Union dairy exports totaled 15.4 million metric tons in 2022, dominated by cheese and milk powder
- United States exported 5.2 million metric tons of dairy products in 2022, up 12% year-over-year
- In 2022, global fresh fruit exports totaled 92.3 million metric tons, with bananas leading at 21.5 million metric tons from Ecuador and Philippines
- Spain exported 3.4 million metric tons of oranges in 2022, 40% to EU markets
- United States apple exports reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Mexico
In 2022, global agricultural trade featured dominant exporters across key commodities.
Cereals and Grains
- In 2022, global wheat exports reached 208.5 million metric tons, with the European Union accounting for 33% of the total at 68.9 million metric tons
- The United States exported 50.3 million metric tons of corn in 2022, representing 45% of global corn trade volume of 111.8 million metric tons
- Russia was the largest wheat exporter in 2022 with 43.8 million metric tons, up 20% from 2021 due to favorable weather conditions
- Brazil's corn exports surged to 44 million metric tons in 2022, making it the second-largest exporter after the US
- Global rice trade volume was 50.2 million metric tons in 2022, with India exporting 22.1 million metric tons or 44% of the total
- Ukraine exported 45.2 million metric tons of grains in the 2021/22 marketing year before disruptions, primarily wheat and corn
- China's corn imports reached 30.5 million metric tons in 2022, driven by feed demand growth
- Argentina's wheat exports for 2022/23 were projected at 13.5 million metric tons, boosted by record harvest
- World barley trade hit 34.1 million metric tons in 2022, with Australia exporting 4.8 million metric tons
- Canada exported 28.9 million metric tons of wheat in 2022, focusing on durum varieties for pasta markets
- EU corn exports dropped to 2.5 million metric tons in 2022 amid high domestic feed use
- Thailand's rice exports were 7.8 million metric tons in 2022, maintaining its position as top fragrant rice supplier
- Global sorghum trade was 12.4 million metric tons in 2022, led by US exports of 5.2 million metric tons to China
- Pakistan exported 4.1 million metric tons of rice in 2022, with basmati varieties fetching premium prices
- France exported 17.2 million metric tons of wheat in 2022, its highest in five years
- Global oats trade volume stood at 2.3 million metric tons in 2022, with Argentina leading exports at 0.8 million metric tons
- US wheat exports to Mexico were 4.5 million metric tons in 2022, comprising 25% of Mexico's imports
- Vietnam's rice exports grew 5% to 7.9 million metric tons in 2022, targeting African markets
- Australia's wheat exports reached 27.6 million metric tons in 2022/23, despite La Niña impacts
- Global rye trade was 1.8 million metric tons in 2022, dominated by EU exports to Turkey
- India's wheat exports jumped to 7.5 million metric tons in early 2022 before a ban was imposed
- US corn exports to Japan totaled 12.3 million metric tons in 2022, under stable trade agreements
- Turkey imported 9.8 million metric tons of wheat in 2022, the largest importer globally
- Global millet trade volume was 0.9 million metric tons in 2022, with India as key supplier
- Egypt's wheat imports were 12.5 million metric tons in 2022, mostly from Russia and France
- Brazil exported 5.2 million metric tons of wheat in 2022, diversifying from traditional suppliers
- Global triticale trade reached 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, led by Poland
- US sorghum exports hit 6.1 million metric tons in 2022, up 15% year-over-year
- China's rice imports grew to 5.1 million metric tons in 2022, focusing on japonica varieties
- EU barley exports were 1.9 million metric tons in 2022, primarily malting barley to Saudi Arabia
Cereals and Grains Interpretation
The world's breadbasket is now a tense geopolitical chessboard where wheat and corn are the kings, Russia and the US play aggressive openings, and everyone else is strategically positioning their grains to avoid getting checkmated by the weather or the next trade ban.
Dairy Products
- In 2022, global milk exports in milk equivalent reached 85.6 million metric tons, New Zealand leading with 32.1 million metric tons or 37%
- European Union dairy exports totaled 15.4 million metric tons in 2022, dominated by cheese and milk powder
- United States exported 5.2 million metric tons of dairy products in 2022, up 12% year-over-year
- Australia's milk powder exports hit 2.3 million metric tons in 2022, to Southeast Asia
- Global cheese trade volume was 18.9 million metric tons in 2022, EU supplying 60%
- New Zealand butter exports reached 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, premium grass-fed products
- China's dairy imports grew to 4.1 million metric tons in 2022, infant formula key driver
- Ireland exported 1.8 million metric tons of dairy in 2022, mostly milk powder to Middle East
- Global whey powder trade was 1.7 million metric tons in 2022, US leading exporter at 0.6 million
- Netherlands dairy exports totaled 2.9 million metric tons in 2022, cheese to US and Asia
- Russia's milk imports dropped to 0.2 million metric tons in 2022 due to sanctions
- Global yogurt trade reached 0.9 million metric tons in 2022, Turkey as top exporter
- US nonfat dry milk exports were 0.7 million metric tons in 2022, to Mexico and Philippines
- Denmark exported 0.8 million metric tons of cheese in 2022, high-value varieties
- Algeria imported 0.5 million metric tons of milk powder in 2022, from EU and New Zealand
- Global condensed milk trade was 2.1 million metric tons in 2022, Brazil key player
- Germany's dairy exports hit 3.2 million metric tons in 2022, butter and cream focus
- Japan's dairy imports totaled 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, cheese rising
- Global egg exports in shell equivalent were 3.4 million metric tons in 2022, Turkey leading
- Poland exported 1.2 million metric tons of egg products in 2022, to EU and Asia
- Mexico's dairy imports reached 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, powdered milk from US
- Global casein trade volume was 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, New Zealand dominant
- France exported 0.6 million metric tons of cheese in 2022, PDO varieties premium priced
- Saudi Arabia imported 0.7 million metric tons of dairy in 2022, UHT milk popular
- US lactose exports grew to 0.2 million metric tons in 2022, pharmaceutical uses
Dairy Products Interpretation
While New Zealand reigns supreme as the world's dairy farm, the EU operates as its specialty cheese shop, and the US serves as its bulk grocery supplier, together they're catering to a global pantry where everyone, from China's infants to Algeria's bakers, is clamoring for a glass of milk—or at least its powdered, curdled, or churned equivalent.
Fruits Vegetables and Other
- In 2022, global fresh fruit exports totaled 92.3 million metric tons, with bananas leading at 21.5 million metric tons from Ecuador and Philippines
- Spain exported 3.4 million metric tons of oranges in 2022, 40% to EU markets
- United States apple exports reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Mexico
- Global vegetable trade volume was 145.7 million metric tons in 2022, tomatoes top at 8.9 million exports
- China exported 4.2 million metric tons of garlic in 2022, dominating 80% of world trade
- Netherlands fresh vegetable exports hit 6.8 million metric tons in 2022, bell peppers key
- Costa Rica's pineapple exports grew to 2.6 million metric tons in 2022, US primary market
- Global potato trade was 10.2 million metric tons in 2022, Egypt leading fresh exports at 1.3 million
- Mexico exported 2.1 million metric tons of avocados in 2022, 85% to US
- India's onion exports reached 2.5 million metric tons in 2022 before restrictions
- Belgium's tomato exports totaled 1.4 million metric tons in 2022, greenhouse production
- Global mango trade volume was 2.3 million metric tons in 2022, Peru and Mexico leaders
- Chile exported 0.9 million metric tons of grapes in 2022, off-season to US and EU
- Poland apple exports hit 0.8 million metric tons in 2022, to Middle East
- Thailand's durian exports surged to 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, China demand
- Global citrus trade excluding oranges was 15.6 million metric tons in 2022, South Africa lemons key
- US exported 0.7 million metric tons of berries in 2022, blueberries leading
- Morocco's tomato exports reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, to EU
- Brazil exported 1.0 million metric tons of oranges for juice in 2022
- Global onion trade was 5.1 million metric tons in 2022, India and China top suppliers
- Italy's kiwi exports totaled 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, premium green variety
- Peru's asparagus exports hit 0.3 million metric tons in 2022, 90% to US
- Global banana trade grew 3% to 22.1 million metric tons in 2022, Ecuador 30% share
- Spain's strawberry exports were 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, to UK and EU
- China's cabbage exports reached 1.5 million metric tons in 2022, processed forms
Fruits Vegetables and Other Interpretation
While bananas reign supreme in a colorful global fruit bowl and garlic confirms its pungent dominance, this complex trade tapestry reveals a world where regional giants feed international cravings, from America’s avocado toast to China’s durian obsession, all carefully orchestrated from Dutch greenhouses to Costa Rican fields.
Meat Products
- In 2022, global beef exports totaled 12.8 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent, with Brazil leading at 2.3 million metric tons
- United States exported 1.4 million metric tons of beef in 2022, primarily to Japan and South Korea
- Australia's beef exports reached 1.5 million metric tons in 2022, 70% to Asia-Pacific markets
- New Zealand lamb exports were 0.5 million metric tons in 2022, with China as top destination at 45%
- Global pork trade volume hit 9.2 million metric tons in 2022, EU exporting 2.1 million metric tons
- United States pork exports grew to 1.3 million metric tons in 2022, Mexico taking 60%
- Brazil poultry exports surged to 4.8 million metric tons in 2022, world's largest exporter
- China's pork imports reached 2.1 million metric tons in 2022 post-ASF recovery
- EU poultry exports were 1.4 million metric tons in 2022, focusing on halal markets
- India's buffalo meat exports hit 1.3 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Middle East
- Global sheep meat trade was 0.8 million metric tons in 2022, Australia supplying 55%
- US turkey exports totaled 0.3 million metric tons in 2022, down due to avian flu outbreaks
- Thailand's poultry exports reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, targeting Japan
- Russia's poultry exports grew 8% to 0.7 million metric tons in 2022 before restrictions
- Mexico imported 1.2 million metric tons of pork in 2022, mostly from US
- Global goat meat trade volume was 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, India leading exporter
- Netherlands exported 0.9 million metric tons of pork in 2022, EU's top pork trader
- Japan's beef imports totaled 0.7 million metric tons in 2022, 40% from Australia
- Ukraine poultry exports were 0.4 million metric tons in 2022 despite conflict
- Saudi Arabia imported 0.6 million metric tons of poultry in 2022, from Brazil and US
- Global horse meat trade was 0.1 million metric tons in 2022, Canada and US key suppliers
- Denmark's pork exports hit 1.1 million metric tons in 2022, to China and Japan
- Philippines imported 0.8 million metric tons of pork in 2022 due to ASF
- US lamb exports reached 0.05 million metric tons in 2022, Middle East focus
- Global rabbit meat trade was 0.2 million metric tons in 2022, China dominant
- Spain exported 0.3 million metric tons of pork in 2022, Iberian varieties premium
- South Korea's beef imports were 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, US and Australia top
Meat Products Interpretation
The global meat trade reveals a carnivorous game of geopolitical chess where nations like Brazil reign supreme as beef barons, the U.S. and Mexico are locked in a pork-powered partnership, and Asia's growing appetite is the board upon which every major exporter strategically places its steaks, chops, and cutlets.
Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils
- In 2022, global soybean exports totaled 175.2 million metric tons, with Brazil supplying 97 million metric tons or 55%
- United States soybean exports reached 47.8 million metric tons in 2022, down 10% due to competition from South America
- Argentina exported 4.5 million metric tons of soybeans in 2022, focusing on processed products
- Global palm oil trade volume was 68.4 million metric tons in 2022, led by Indonesia's 34.2 million metric tons exports
- Malaysia exported 17.8 million metric tons of palm oil in 2022, capturing 26% of global market share
- China's soybean imports hit a record 91.5 million metric tons in 2022, 52% of global trade
- EU rapeseed exports were 2.1 million metric tons in 2022, with Canada as top supplier at 1.8 million
- US soybean meal exports totaled 13.2 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Southeast Asia
- Global sunflower seed trade reached 16.7 million metric tons in 2022, Ukraine contributing 5.4 million metric tons pre-war
- Brazil's soybean oil exports grew to 3.8 million metric tons in 2022, targeting India and China
- India imported 14.2 million metric tons of vegetable oils in 2022, 60% palm oil from Indonesia
- Russia's sunflower oil exports were 4.9 million metric tons in 2022 before sanctions impacted volumes
- Global peanut exports stood at 3.9 million metric tons in 2022, led by Argentina's 1.2 million metric tons
- Canada exported 18.5 million metric tons of canola seed in 2022, 80% to crushing facilities in Asia
- EU soybean imports reached 15.6 million metric tons in 2022, primarily from Brazil
- Turkey's vegetable oil imports were 2.8 million metric tons in 2022, sunflower oil dominant
- US cottonseed exports totaled 0.9 million metric tons in 2022, mainly for oil extraction in Mexico
- Global sesame seed trade was 1.4 million metric tons in 2022, India exporting 0.7 million metric tons
- Indonesia's palm kernel oil exports hit 8.2 million metric tons in 2022, used in cosmetics and food
- China's rapeseed oil imports grew 12% to 1.1 million metric tons in 2022
- Brazil exported 1.5 million metric tons of sunflower seeds in 2022, expanding into new markets
- Global linseed trade volume was 2.7 million metric tons in 2022, Canada leading with 1.2 million exports
- EU palm oil imports were 7.9 million metric tons in 2022, sparking sustainability debates
- Argentina's soybean crush yielded 28.4 million metric tons of meal in 2022 for export
- India's groundnut oil production supported exports of 0.3 million metric tons domestically consumed mostly
- US canola oil exports reached 0.4 million metric tons in 2022, targeting Mexico
- Global olive oil trade was 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, Spain exporting 0.6 million metric tons
Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Interpretation
The global agricultural trade landscape reveals a fiercely competitive, protein-hungry world where Brazil reigns supreme in soybeans, Indonesia and Malaysia duopolize the palm oil market, and nations like China and India voraciously import the building blocks of their food security, all while geopolitical tremors ripple through the sunflower fields.
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