Economic Research Service | Situation and Outlook Report

WHS-18d | April 12, 2018 Next release is May 14, 2018

Wheat Outlook In this report:

- Domestic Outlook
Jennifer K. Bond, coordinator - International Outlook
- Domestic Feature:
Recap of Agricultural
Outlook Forum Projections
Olga Liefert for Wheat in 2018/19

U.S. All Wheat Planted Area Projected to Rise in

2018 on Sizable Other Spring Wheat Expansion
The March 29 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Prospective Plantings report
revealed a substantial year-to-year increase in 2018 planting intentions for other spring wheat, up 15
percent from 2017 to 12.627 million acres. Rising prices for spring wheat have encouraged sowings,
while more favorable returns from cotton and other grains have weakened farmer interest in planting
durum. Durum planting intentions are down 13 percent from last year to 2.0 million acres (figure 1). The
revised forecast for winter wheat, at 32.7 million acres, is up slightly from both the January projection
and the 2017 estimate. On net, the all wheat planted area projection of 47.3 million acres for 2018
heralds a modest recovery. However, if realized, it will be the second-lowest level of U.S. wheat
sowings on record and reflects an extremely competitive global wheat market. Russia—by far the
world’s dominant wheat exporter this marketing year—is now forecast to export an unprecedented 38.5
million tons, raised 1 million tons this month largely on reduced EU exports. Russia is expected to
remain a formidable force in the global wheat market in the year to come.
Figure 1: U.S. wheat planted area by class
Mil. acres
90
80 Winter Other spring Durum
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Quick Stats Database.

Domestic Outlook
Domestic Changes at a Glance:

• U.S. all wheat feed and residual use is trimmed 30 million bushels on sluggish use in the
third quarter, as implied in the March USDA-NASS Grain Stocks report.
• Reduced usage lifts ending stocks to 1,064 million bushels.
• The 2017/18 ending stocks figure exceeds the 5-year average by more than 220 million
bushels, though it remains below the 2016/17 figure (1,180 million bushels).
• With the vast majority of the 2017/18 wheat crop marketed, the mid-point season
average farm price is unchanged from March and remains at $4.65/bushel.
• The USDA-NASS Prospective Plantings report projects 2018/19 all wheat planted area
to total 47.3 million acres.
o If realized, 2018/19 all wheat planted area will exceed the 2017/18 estimate by
nearly 1.3 million acres.
o NASS’s current forecast largely affirms the direction of change in planted area
described in the February Grains Outlook presentation delivered at the USDA
Agricultural Outlook Forum. Please see this month’s domestic feature for a
summary of the presentation.

U.S. Feed and Residual Lowered; Ending Stocks Up

30 Million Bushels
The U.S. 2017/18 all wheat balance sheet is little changed this month with the exception of
modest updates to 2017/18 feed and residual and ending stocks. The March 29 USDA-NASS
Grain Stocks report implied lower-than-expected third quarter feed and residual use. Annual
wheat feed and residual use was lowered 30 million bushels from the March World Agricultural
Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) to 70 million, the lowest level since 2007/08 (figure 2).

Figure 2: U.S. wheat utilization

Mil. bu
4,500
4,000 Ending stocks Feed and residual Exports Food Seed
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

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Domestic prices for hard red winter wheat have generally strengthened in recent months, while
other feedstuffs and feed grains, including corn, sorghum, distillers’ dried grains, cottonseed
meal, and soy hulls have remained competitively priced. In particular, as the wheat/corn price
ratio has increased, the value of feeding wheat has fallen, putting downward pressure on the
marketing-year estimate. Hard red winter (HRW)—the most common source of feed wheat—
absorbs a 25 million bushel cut for a revised 2017/18 feed and residual estimate of 20 million
bushels. Hard red spring (HRS) feed and residual is lowered by the remaining 5 million bushels
of the total 30 million bushels reduction. Updates to food and seed use will follow, as necessary,
after the May 1 release of the quarterly Flour Milling Products and the May Crop Production
reports.

Table 1 - U.S. wheat supply and utilization at a glance 2017/18, April 2018
2017/18
Change
Balance 2017/18 2017/18
from 2017/18 Comments
sheet item (March) (April)
previous
month
Supply, May-June Marketing
Million bushels
total Year (MY)
Beginning
1,180.6 1,180.6 0.0
stocks
Production 1,740.6 1,740.6 0.0
Imports 155.0 155.0 0.0
Supply, total 3,076.2 3,076.2 0.0
Demand
Food 955.0 955.0 0.0
Seed 62.0 62.0 0.0
Higher-than-expected
Q3 ending stocks
implies lower feed and
Feed and residual (F&R) use. Hard
100.0 70.0 -30.0
residual red winter (HRW) use is
reduced by 25 million
bushels; Hard red spring
is cut 5 million.
Lower F&R use reduces
Domestic,
1,117.0 1,087.0 -30.0 total domestic use by 30
total
million bushels.
No net change; HRW
lowered 10 million
Exports 925.0 925.0 0.0
bushels; white wheat
raised 10 million.
Use, total 2,042.0 2,012.0 -30.0
Decreased use boosts
ending stocks by 30
million bushels; stocks-
Ending
1,034.2 1,064.2 30.0 to-use ratio raised to
stocks
near 53% and compares
to the 5-year average of
38.9%.
Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board.
Reduced feed and residual use boosts ending stocks to 1,064 million bushels, well above the 5-
year average of 843 million bushels, while still lower than last year’s ending stocks of 1,181
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million bushels. Third quarter ending stocks were raised more than 28 million bushels from the
previous projection. On March 1, USDA-NASS reported that 1,494 million bushels of wheat
were held on and off U.S. farms. At the same time a year prior, 1,658 million bushels of wheat
were held in all positions. The Grain Stocks report was viewed as neutral and largely matched
industry expectations ahead of the report. The NASS report also included a revision to second
quarter (Q2) all wheat stocks, resulting in a slight (129,000 bushel) reduction in Q2 all wheat
and HRW stocks.
U.S. all wheat exports are unchanged this month and remain at 925 million bushels or 24.5
million tons. Global competition pushed the average March U.S. HRW (FOB) wheat price lower
this month, down $25 per ton to $230; however, the price remains above comparable prices for
the European Union, Black Sea Region, and Argentina. HRW exports are lowered 10 million
bushels this month to 370 million. Despite a $5 per ton, month-to-month price advance for soft
white wheat, demand for all white remains strong on multiple tenders from Japan and provides
support for a 10 million bushel boost to the 2017/18 white wheat export projection.

Winter Wheat Conditions Continue to Cause Concern

With condition ratings available from USDA-NASS through the week ending April 8, a clearer
picture of the impact of unfavorable growing conditions for the winter wheat crop is emerging. In
the Southern Plains, the months-long drought continues to intensify. On April 8, in Kansas,
Texas, and Oklahoma, the portion of the crop rated “good” to “excellent” totaled just 13, 14, and
10 percent, respectively—far below ratings for the previous year. In Oklahoma and Northern
Texas, already stressed winter wheat was damaged further by a freeze on April 7. In the
Northern High Plains, including Montana and North Dakota, where a modest amount of winter
wheat is grown, dry conditions were eased some by the arrival of snow, which provided an
insulating cover as monthly temperatures fell between 5 and 10 degrees below normal.

Figure 3: U.S. winter wheat conditions, week-to-week changes

Key soft red winter wheat growing regions have recently dealt with an abundance of moisture
and cooler temperatures that are reported to have saturated some fields and slowed growth.
Ratings in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana reflect the challenging growing conditions, with the
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proportion of the crop rated “good” to “excellent” for the week ending April 8 falling 9, 22, and 12
points, respectively, below the same week in 2017.

In aggregate, just 38 percent of the 2018 winter wheat crop is currently rated “good” to
“excellent,” a 23-point decline compared to the same week in 2017. The percent of winter wheat
rated “good” to “excellent” dropped by 2 percentage points between April 1 and April 8. In the
April 10, USDA, Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, the
condition index places the 2018 winter wheat crop in the lower tier of years that include 1996,
2002, 2006, 2011, 2013, and 2014 (figure 4). The week-to-week decline in winter wheat rating
puts the 2018 index on par with the 2002 index for the same week. Ratings for “very poor” are
not included in the index calculations, and other ratings are linearly scaled from 1 to 4, with
“excellent” ratings given the greatest weight. In week 14 of both 2002 and 2018, 14 percent of
the winter wheat crop was rated “very poor.”

Figure 4: U.S. winter wheat condition index

U.S. WINTER WHEAT Condition Index

310

290

270

250
Index

230

210

190

170

150
5-Apr

3-May

12-Jul
14-Jun

21-Jun

28-Jun

5-Jul
7-Jun
12-Apr

19-Apr

26-Apr
29-Mar

10-May

17-May

24-May

31-May

Date
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
2007data.
Based on NASS crop progress 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Source: USDA, Office of the Chief Economist, Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin.

Domestic Feature: Recap of Agricultural Outlook Forum

Projections for Wheat in 2018/19
On February 23, revised commodity outlooks for 2018/19 grains and oilseeds were released
online and presented at the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF). These outlooks update
the evolving analysis of the USDA Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees (ICEC) for
the 2018/19 commodity balance sheets. Updated supply and use estimates for 2018/19 wheat
reflect expectations of increased production, compared to the prior year and relative to the
USDA Baseline Projections released in November 2017. The AOF planted wheat area
increased from November because NASS showed higher winter wheat acreage than previously
expected in the Winter Wheat and Canola Seeding report issued January 12. USDA-NASS
estimates that 2018 winter wheat planted is slightly higher than the previous year, with gains in
Kansas and Colorado largely offsetting loses elsewhere in the United States (figure 5).
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 Figure 5: Winter wheat planted area 2018 vs. 2017, change by State

Updates in planted area expectations, reported at the February meeting, mirror the direction of
change by class, as indicated in the March Prospective Plantings report. Specifically, the
revised outyear forecast expanded all wheat planted area by 1.5 million acres from the
November forecast, based largely on expectations of greater other spring wheat planted area
(figure 6). At the February AOF, the wheat ICEC reported all wheat plantings of 46.5 million
acres, which compares to the now 47.3 million forecast at the end of March by NASS. While the
most recent NASS planted area forecast is up from its previous iterations, it is also the second
lowest level of sowings since records began in 1919.

In February, as dry conditions persisted in the hard red winter wheat belt, a slight reduction in
the harvested-to-planted ratio relative to the 10-year average, was used in the revised AOF
projections. At the time of the AOF, an estimated 45 percent of the 2018/19 winter wheat crop
was located in an area experiencing drought. Further, an entrenched La Nińa weather pattern
implied limited opportunities for significant precipitation or drought relief ahead of the return of
warm weather. In the subsequent weeks, dryness in the Southern Plains has not abated in
Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma as reflected in rising proportion of the winter wheat crop rated
“poor” to “very poor.” Use of the reduced harvested-to-planted ratio reflects expectations of
above-average abandonment and tempers production gains previously implied by a
combination of 20-year trend yields and expanded planted area.

In total, 1,839 million bushels of production were reported in the February AOF projections, up
24 million from the November report. Larger production combines with carry-in that has risen
repeatedly since the initial forecast of 935 million bushels reported in November. Unchanged
imports of 135 million bushels contribute to total wheat supplies of 2,983 million in 2018/19. The
February forecast indicates a 3-percent year-to-year decrease in total wheat supply, projected
at 2,983 million bushels, which compares to the 5-year average of near 3,040 million bushels.

At the AOF, projected domestic use for the outyear was reported as marginally higher, relative
to the November Baseline Projections and up 10 million bushels from 2017/18 to 1,127 million
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based on expectations of increased feed and residual use in 2018/19. Food use is forecast to
remain level, with the current 2017/18 estimate based on food use of 955 million bushels and
seed use of 62 million bushels. Wheat exports for 2018/19 are projected at 925 million bushels
and on par with the current forecast of 925 million for the 2017/18 marketing year. Continued
strong international price competition will create challenges for U.S. wheat, which has recently
seen rising cash and futures prices for some classes of wheat as concerns about the effect of
persistent dry weather on winter wheat yields, and ultimately supplies, mount.

Figure 6: Spring wheat planted area 2018 vs. 2017, change by State

Based on the data available at the time of the February AOF meeting, U.S. wheat ending stocks
for 2018/19 were projected to increase by 118 million bushels from the November forecast. At
931 million bushels, the ending stocks for 2018/19 would be the lowest since 2014/15 but still
above the 5-year average of 902 million bushels. The implied stocks-to-use ratio, at 45.4
percent, is down from the current 2017/18 ratio of 52.8 percent, but remains above the 5-year
average of 42.7. The 2018/19 season-average farm price (SAFP) is projected at $4.70 per
bushel and is up 5 cents from the midpoint of the forecast 2017/18 price and up 10 cents from
the November all wheat SAFP projection. In May, the WASDE will update the 2018/19 supply
and demand projections. These figures will reflect the latest data on the 2017/18 crop—most
notably, the size of anticipated carry-in for the 2018/19 crop. Further, revised projections of
winter, other spring, and durum production—as a function of anticipated yields and harvested
area—will be provided at an aggregate level. In June, the WASDE will include the first wheat-
by-class balance sheet projections.

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International Outlook
Wheat Production Is Up
World wheat production for 2017/18 is projected up 1.0 million tons this month to a record 759.8
million. Global supplies are projected to increase by 3.0 million tons, with beginning stocks
increased by 2.0 million tons. With just a few months remaining in the 2017/18 July-June
international trade year, supply and demand wheat balances have been revised for a number of
countries, though most of the adjustments are fairly small. The 2017/18 wheat harvest in most
countries was completed several months ago, and this month’s production revisions reflect new
information, received mostly from government agencies. The largest revision is a 0.8-million-ton
production increase for Morocco.

Stocks are revised up in Iran; the revisions of the country’s wheat food, seed, and industrial
consumption (FSI) and ending stocks categories go back to 2012/13. Iranian FSI consumption
for those years has been trimmed as its expansion was determined to be too robust compared
to its GDP growth rate. With reductions in FSI, stocks were increased. Other smaller revisions
(under 0.1 million tons each) in beginning stocks are made for a number of other countries.
At-a-glance information for this month’s changes in wheat production is presented in map A.

Map A – Wheat production changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

Foreign Wheat Use Is Slightly Up

Foreign wheat use projections for 2017/18 are up 1.4 million tons this month to 713.5 million.
Foreign feed and residual wheat use is forecast up 2.0 million tons, mainly due to the European
Union (EU). The EU is expected to use more wheat for feeding, while exporting less outside of
the region to non-EU countries. The abundance of wheat and reduced corn output in the EU has
made the wheat price competitive with corn, with feeding shifting to wheat. Feed use is also
increased in Indonesia, up 0.7 million tons, reflecting a healthy growth in the poultry sector and
the expanding substitution of low-quality imported wheat for corn. Smaller changes are made for
a number of countries this month.
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With multiple offsetting revisions, foreign food, seed, and industrial use (FSI) is forecast down
0.4 million tons. The largest change is a 0.7 million ton reduction for India to bring it into line with
the Government stocks’ data. As discussed earlier, Iranian FSI consumption is reduced
following a multiyear revision. For additional information on this month’s changes in wheat
domestic consumption, see map B1 (feed consumption) and map B2 (FSI consumption), below.

Map B1 – Wheat feed and residual use changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

Map B2 – Wheat food, seed, and industrial (FSI) use changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

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Wheat Ending Stocks Projected Higher
The projected increase in world wheat supplies exceeds higher projected consumption, resulting
in raising global ending stocks. Wheat stocks are now projected to reach a new record of 271.2
million tons, up 1.5 million this month. Several changes in stocks are made this month as
specific countries’ wheat balances were revised. At-a-glance information for this month’s
changes in wheat ending stocks is presented in map C.

Map C – Wheat ending stocks changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

A Shift in World Wheat Trade Shares Projected

Projected record world wheat trade for the international July-June 2017/18 trade year (TY) is
almost unchanged, down just 0.1 million tons this month to 184.3 million. As three-quarters of
the trade year has now passed, most of the revisions this month are based on the pace of sales,
licenses, and shipments.

Additional trade data for the 2017/18 July-June trade year indicate that the pace of wheat
exports is in some cases above, and in other cases below, what was needed to reach their
previous month’s forecasts. The export projections for several countries were adjusted
accordingly. Russian wheat exports continue to exceed expectations with a record-strong pace
of export sales, expanding outreach, and continued price competitiveness vis-à-vis other major
exporters, despite modest increases in domestic prices. Sharp depreciation of the Russian
currency (ruble), which occurred after additional Western economic sanctions were recently
imposed, is expected to boost exports further. Russian wheat exports are projected to reach
38.5 million tons, 1.0 million tons more than anticipated a month ago. This is the highest
individual country wheat export in 20 years—since the United States exported 43.4 million tons
(July-June) in 1987/88.

The European Union (EU) is the main Russian competitor in the Black Sea region. Facing
massive Russian low-priced wheat supplies, and an unusually warm Russian winter that
allowed that country to maintain a high pace of exports, the EU lags behind, losing sales in
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several markets. This is especially evident in Africa and the Middle East, as in most of the EU
countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, and the Baltic countries) wheat has not
been price-competitive vis-à-vis Russia. EU wheat exports are projected down 1.0 million tons
to 24.0 million this month. Although EU wheat prices are becoming more competitive, as
Romanian and French wheat prices declined and are currently on par with those of Russian
wheat, the pace of EU exports has been sluggish and still needs to accelerate to reach the
current projection.

The strong pace of wheat exports from Argentina and its expansion into new regions (especially
Indonesia) support a 0.5 million ton increase this month to reach 14.5 million, the highest
Argentine wheat exports on record.

The pace of Australian exports in February was lower than expected, especially to Indonesia,
and its exports for the 2017/18 July-June international trade year are reduced 0.5 million tons to
17.0 million, offsetting the change for Argentina. For Australia’s October-September marketing
year, exports are left unchanged at 16.0 million tons. The trade-year forecast is higher than that
for its local marketing year, due to Australia’s timing of harvest and exports. The first 6 months
of comparatively high exports (July-December), when Australia was still exporting record wheat
supplies, will add to the July 2017-June 2018 total.

U.S. exports for both the July-June trade year and June-May local marketing year are left
unchanged, although the structure of exports by class of wheat are adjusted (see section on
domestic wheat).

For a visual display of this month’s changes in 2017/18 wheat exports, see map D1, below.

Map D1 – Wheat trade-year (TY) exports changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

Import prospects are reduced 0.8 million tons each this month for Morocco (higher projected
wheat output) and Brazil (the pace of imports lags behind the forecast and with just one quarter
left in the trade year, is unlikely to catch up).

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Partly offsetting the above reductions, Algeria, Japan, Kenya, Philippines, Turkey, and several
other countries are projected to import additional wheat in the range of 0.1–0.3 million tons. For
a display of this month’s changes in 2017/18 wheat imports, see map D2.

Map D2 – Wheat trade year (TY) imports changes for 2017/18, April 2018

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution online database.

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Figure 1
All wheat average prices received by farmers
Dollars per bushel
6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
1.00

0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

Figure 2
Hard red winter wheat average prices received by farmers
Dollars per bushel
6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
1.00

0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

Figure 3
Hard red spring wheat average prices received by farmers
Dollars per bushel
7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
2.00

1.00

0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

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Figure 4
Soft red winter wheat average prices received by farmers
Dollars per bushel
6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
1.00

0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

Figure 5
Soft white wheat average prices received by farmers

Dollars per bushel

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

1.00

0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

Figure 6
Durum wheat average prices received by farmers
Dollars per bushel
10.00
9.00
8.00
7.00
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
2.00
1.00
0.00
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

Market year
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

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Figure 7
All wheat: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year
Million bushels
-700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300

Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports
Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Figure 8
Hard red winter wheat: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year

Million bushels -400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200

Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports
Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Figure 9
Hard red spring wheat: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year

Million bushels -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40

Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports
Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

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Figure 10
Soft red winter wheat: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year

Million bushels -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports
Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Figure 11
White wheat: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year

Million bushels
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60

Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports
Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Figure 12
Durum: U.S. supply and disappearance change from prior market year

Million bushels
-60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
Beginning stocks
Imports
Production
Supply
Domestic use
Exports

Total disappearance
Ending stocks

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

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Table 1--Wheat: U.S. market year supply and disappearance, 4/12/2018
Item and unit 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
Area:
Planted Million acres 54.3 55.3 56.2 56.8 55.0 50.1 46.0
Harvested Million acres 45.7 48.8 45.3 46.4 47.3 43.9 37.6

Yield Bushels per acre 43.6 46.2 47.1 43.7 43.6 52.7 46.3

Supply:
Beginning stocks Million bushels 863.0 742.6 717.9 590.3 752.4 975.6 1,180.6
Production Million bushels 1,993.1 2,252.3 2,135.0 2,026.3 2,061.9 2,308.7 1,740.6
Imports ¹ Million bushels 113.1 124.3 172.5 151.2 112.7 118.1 155.0
Total supply Million bushels 2,969.2 3,119.2 3,025.3 2,767.8 2,927.1 3,402.5 3,076.2

Disappearance:
Food use Million bushels 941.4 950.8 955.1 958.3 957.1 949.0 955.0
Seed use Million bushels 75.6 73.1 75.6 79.4 67.2 61.3 62.0
Feed and residual use Million bushels 158.5 365.3 228.2 113.4 149.4 156.5 70.0
Total domestic use Million bushels 1,175.5 1,389.3 1,258.8 1,151.1 1,173.7 1,166.7 1,087.0
Exports ¹ Million bushels 1,051.1 1,012.1 1,176.2 864.3 777.8 1,055.1 925.0
Total disappearance Million bushels 2,226.6 2,401.4 2,435.1 2,015.4 1,951.5 2,221.9 2,012.0

Ending stocks Million bushels 742.6 717.9 590.3 752.4 975.6 1,180.6 1,064.2
CCC inventory Million bushels .0

Stocks-to-use ratio 33.4 29.9 24.2 37.3 50.0 53.1 52.9

Loan rate Dollars per bushel 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94
Contract/direct payment rate Dollars per bushel 73.80 73.70 72.80 56.40 56.40 56.50 56.50
Farm price ² Dollars per bushel 7.24 7.77 6.87 5.99 4.89 3.89 4.60-4.70

Market value of production Million dollars 14,269 17,383 14,604 11,915 10,203 8,981 8,094

Latest market year is projected; previous market year is estimated. Totals may not add due to rounding.
¹ Includes flour and selected other products expressed in grain-equivalent bushels.
² U.S. season-average price based on monthly prices weighted by monthly marketings. Prices do not include an allowance for loans
outstanding and government purchases.
Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and supporting materials.
Date run: 4/11/2018

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Table 2--Wheat by class: U.S. market year supply and disappearance, 4/12/2018
Hard red Hard red Soft red
Market year, item, and unit All wheat winter¹ spring¹ winter¹ White¹ Durum
2016/17 Area:
Planted acreage Million acres 50.11 26.58 10.90 6.02 4.20 2.41
Harvested acreage Million acres 43.85 21.87 10.62 4.98 4.03 2.36

Yield Bushels per acre 52.65 49.47 46.28 69.37 71.08 44.03

Supply:
Beginning stocks Million bushels 975.60 445.53 271.97 156.63 73.68 27.80
Production Million bushels 2,308.72 1,082.01 491.33 345.23 286.25 103.91
Imports² Million bushels 118.14 5.05 41.78 33.19 7.74 30.38
Total supply Million bushels 3,402.47 1,532.58 805.07 535.05 367.67 162.10

Disappearance:
Food use Million bushels 948.98 384.71 250.00 150.00 85.00 79.27
Seed use Million bushels 61.27 26.20 15.48 11.02 5.17 3.40
Feed and residual use Million bushels 156.49 77.64 -16.27 67.34 9.04 18.74
Total domestic use Million bushels 1,166.73 488.55 249.21 228.36 99.21 101.41
Exports² Million bushels 1,055.13 454.74 320.86 91.69 163.46 24.38
Total disappearance Million bushels 2,221.86 943.28 570.07 320.05 262.67 125.79

Ending stocks Million bushels 1,180.60 589.30 235.00 215.00 105.00 36.30

2017/18 Area:
Planted acreage Million acres 46.01 23.43 10.50 5.73 4.05 2.31
Harvested acreage Million acres 37.59 17.64 9.67 4.32 3.82 2.14

Yield Bushels per acre 46.31 42.54 39.82 67.66 67.53 25.71

Supply:
Beginning stocks Million bushels 1,180.60 589.30 235.00 215.00 105.00 36.30
Production Million bushels 1,740.58 750.33 385.01 292.16 258.18 54.91
Imports² Million bushels 155.00 7.00 74.00 17.00 7.00 50.00
Total supply Million bushels 3,076.18 1,346.63 694.01 524.16 370.18 141.21

Disappearance:
Food use Million bushels 955.00 385.00 252.00 153.00 85.00 80.00
Seed use Million bushels 62.00 27.00 17.00 11.00 4.00 3.00
Feed and residual use Million bushels 70.00 20.00 .00 45.00 5.00 .00
Total domestic use Million bushels 1,087.00 432.00 269.00 209.00 94.00 83.00
Exports² Million bushels 925.00 370.00 235.00 90.00 210.00 20.00
Total disappearance Million bushels 2,012.00 802.00 504.00 299.00 304.00 103.00

Ending stocks Million bushels 1,064.18 544.63 190.01 225.16 66.18 38.21

Latest market year is projected; previous market year is estimated. Totals may not add due to rounding.
¹ Area and yield data are unpublished National Agricultural Statistics Service data. Supply and disappearance data, except
production, are approximations.
² Includes flour and selected other products expressed in grain-equivalent bushels.
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Crop Production and unpublished data; and USDA, World
Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and supporting materials.
Date run: 4/11/2018

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Table 3--Wheat: U.S. quarterly supply and disappearance (million bushels), 4/12/2018
Feed and
Market year and quarter Production Imports¹ Total supply Food use Seed use residual use Exports¹ Ending stocks
2010/11 Jun-Aug 2,163 27 3,166 235 1 215 265 2,450
Sep-Nov 24 2,473 242 51 -63 311 1,933
Dec-Feb 23 1,956 221 1 308 1,425
Mar-May 22 1,448 228 16 -67 407 863
Mkt. year 2,163 97 3,236 926 71 85 1,291 863

2011/12 Jun-Aug 1,993 21 2,877 230 5 201 295 2,147

Sep-Nov 32 2,179 244 51 -16 238 1,663
Dec-Feb 30 1,693 231 1 44 217 1,199
Mar-May 30 1,229 236 19 -70 301 743
Mkt. year 1,993 113 2,969 941 76 159 1,051 743

2012/13 Jun-Aug 2,252 26 3,020 238 1 403 264 2,115

Sep-Nov 33 2,148 247 55 -22 198 1,671
Dec-Feb 35 1,705 229 1 5 235 1,235
Mar-May 31 1,266 238 15 -20 315 718
Mkt. year 2,252 124 3,119 951 73 365 1,012 718

2013/14 Jun-Aug 2,135 36 2,889 235 4 422 358 1,870

Sep-Nov 48 1,918 249 53 -168 309 1,475
Dec-Feb 42 1,517 231 2 -1 228 1,057
Mar-May 47 1,104 240 17 -25 282 590
Mkt. year 2,135 172 3,025 955 76 228 1,176 590

2014/15 Jun-Aug 2,026 44 2,661 239 6 256 253 1,907

Sep-Nov 35 1,942 248 49 -93 208 1,530
Dec-Feb 37 1,566 231 2 8 185 1,140
Mar-May 36 1,176 240 22 -58 219 752
Mkt. year 2,026 151 2,768 958 79 113 864 752

2015/16 Jun-Aug 2,062 27 2,841 240 1 298 205 2,097

Sep-Nov 27 2,124 249 44 -107 192 1,746
Dec-Feb 34 1,780 230 2 2 175 1,372
Mar-May 25 1,396 239 20 -43 205 976
Mkt. year 2,062 113 2,927 957 67 149 778 976

2016/17 Jun-Aug 2,309 33 3,317 238 1 266 268 2,545

Sep-Nov 30 2,575 245 41 -30 239 2,079
Dec-Feb 25 2,104 228 1 -22 238 1,659
Mar-May 31 1,690 238 19 -58 310 1,181
Mkt. year 2,309 118 3,402 949 61 156 1,055 1,181

2017/18 Jun-Aug 1,741 42 2,963 239 2 170 286 2,266

Sep-Nov 36 2,302 251 40 -55 193 1,873
Dec-Feb 37 1,911 230 1 -15 201 1,494
Mkt. year 1,741 155 3,076 955 62 70 925 1,064

Latest market year is projected; previous market year is estimated. Totals may not add due to rounding.
¹ Includes flour and selected other products expressed in grain-equivalent bushels.
Source: USDA, World Agricultural Outlook Board, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and supporting materials.
Date run: 4/11/2018
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Table 4--Wheat: Monthly food disappearance estimates (1,000 grain-equivalent bushels), 4/12/2018
Mkt year and Wheat ground for + Food imports² + Nonmilled food use³ - Food exports² = Food use4
month 1/ flour
2016/17 Jun 73,149 2,933 2,000 2,150 75,932
Jul 74,237 2,639 2,000 1,665 77,212
Aug 81,136 3,198 2,000 1,856 84,478
Sep 78,018 2,537 2,000 2,140 80,415
Oct 81,469 2,968 2,000 2,325 84,111
Nov 77,978 3,191 2,000 2,201 80,968
Dec 73,195 2,863 2,000 1,868 76,190
Jan 73,561 2,858 2,000 2,027 76,392
Feb 72,977 2,301 2,000 1,978 75,300
Mar 77,425 2,840 2,000 1,789 80,477
Apr 74,812 2,828 2,000 1,534 78,105
May 76,492 2,818 2,000 1,914 79,396
2017/18 Jun 73,183 3,248 2,000 1,822 76,610
Jul 74,520 2,966 2,000 1,795 77,691
Aug 81,444 3,151 2,000 2,107 84,488
Sep 78,315 2,622 2,000 1,411 81,526
Oct 82,356 3,243 2,000 1,133 86,465
Nov 78,827 3,219 2,000 1,285 82,762
Dec 73,992 2,941 2,000 1,563 77,369
Jan 3,075 1,423 1,652
Feb 2,948 1,589 1,359
¹ Current year is preliminary. Previous year is preliminary through August of current year, estimated afterwards.
² Food imports and exports used to calculate total food use. Includes all categories of wheat flour, semolina, bulgur, and couscous and
selected categories of pasta.
³ Wheat prepared for food use by processes other than milling.
4Estimated food use equals wheat ground for flour plus food imports plus nonmilled food use minus food exports.

Source: Data through the 2nd quarter of 2011 was calculated using data from U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census’
Flour Milling Products (MQ311A) and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Foreign Trade Statistics.
Subsequent flour milling calculations are based on data from the North American Millers Association.

Date run: 4/11/2018

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Table 5--Wheat: National average price received by farmers (dollars per bushel) , 4/12/2018
Month All wheat Winter Durum Other spring
2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18
June 4.20 4.37 3.97 4.11 6.50 6.69 4.61 5.35
July 3.75 4.77 3.56 4.56 6.47 6.30 4.48 6.09
August 3.68 4.83 3.41 4.27 5.66 6.93 4.26 5.87
September 3.48 4.65 3.25 4.11 5.61 6.32 4.22 5.62
October 3.68 4.64 3.37 4.17 5.51 6.41 4.38 5.55
November 3.88 4.73 3.41 4.07 6.00 6.53 4.48 5.78
December 3.90 4.51 3.40 3.91 6.07 6.25 4.66 5.61
January 4.01 4.69 3.53 4.19 5.90 6.12 4.74 5.72
February 4.16 4.92 3.77 4.63 5.71 6.20 4.83 5.65
March 4.37 3.82 5.72 4.86
April 4.16 3.70 5.90 4.83
May 4.05 3.77 5.82 4.81
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.

Table 6--Wheat: National average prices received by farmers by class (dollars per bushel), 4/12/2018
Month Hard red winter Soft red winter Hard red spring White

2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

June 3.84 3.99 4.45 4.50 4.61 5.41 4.75 4.30
July 3.32 4.45 4.16 4.84 4.48 6.16 4.63 4.77
August 3.15 4.10 3.92 4.49 4.27 6.07 4.23 4.43
September 3.02 3.82 3.68 4.33 4.24 5.75 4.08 4.55
October 3.07 3.82 3.83 4.48 4.46 5.73 3.88 4.59
November 3.16 3.84 3.85 4.31 4.54 5.89 3.92 4.58
December 3.11 3.66 3.91 4.45 4.72 5.72 4.00 4.47
January 3.35 3.95 4.04 4.74 4.78 5.84 4.04 4.68
February 3.59 4.65 4.25 4.68 4.91 5.76 4.02 4.58
March 3.66 4.29 4.92 4.01
April 3.52 4.19 4.89 4.11
May 3.65 4.20 4.95 4.07
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Prices.
Date run: 4/11/2018

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Table 7--Wheat: Average cash grain bids at principal markets, 4/12/2018
No. 1 hard red winter No. 1 hard red winter No. 1 hard red winter No. 1 hard red winter
(ordinary protein) (13% protein) (ordinary protein) (ordinary protein)
Kansas City, MO Kansas City, MO Portland, OR Texas Gulf, TX ¹
(dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel) (dollars per metric ton)

Month 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

June 5.04 5.24 5.54 6.65 5.18 4.53 176.55 189.60
July 4.24 5.65 5.18 7.22 4.66 5.12 151.57 203.74
August 4.15 4.80 5.32 6.28 4.62 4.22 149.18 171.41
September 4.24 5.07 5.36 6.52 4.41 4.81 150.47 178.76
October 4.40 5.11 5.58 6.24 4.20 5.03 152.12 175.82
November 4.64 5.30 5.70 6.84 4.12 4.96 150.28 179.49
December 4.56 5.38 5.76 6.72 4.03 4.84 141.83 183.90
January 4.91 5.73 6.03 6.94 4.34 5.03 153.22 192.17
February 5.04 5.93 6.08 6.89 4.58 5.41 155.24 --
March 4.80 6.05 5.53 6.70 4.54 5.52 154.32 --
April 4.37 -- 5.08 -- 4.23 -- 165.90 --
May 4.80 -- 5.89 -- 4.31 -- 180.04 --
No. 1 dark northern spring No. 1 dark northern spring No. 1 dark northern spring No. 1 hard amber durum
(13% protein) (14% protein) (14% protein) Minneapolis, MN
Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Portland, OR (dollars per bushel)
(dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel)

2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

June -- -- -- -- 6.35 7.50 -- --
July -- -- -- -- 5.82 8.77 -- --
August -- -- -- -- 5.97 7.74 -- --
September -- -- -- -- 5.98 7.40 -- --
October -- -- -- -- 6.34 7.39 -- --
November -- -- -- -- 6.28 7.52 -- --
December -- -- -- -- 6.49 7.38 -- --
January -- -- -- -- 6.80 7.42 -- --
February -- -- -- -- 6.81 7.29 -- --
March -- -- -- -- 6.60 7.40 -- --
April -- -- -- -- 6.45 -- -- --
May -- -- -- -- 6.64 -- -- --
No. 2 soft red winter No. 2 soft red winter No. 2 soft red winter No. 1 soft white
St. Louis, MO Chicago, IL Toledo, OH Portland, OR
(dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel) (dollars per bushel)

2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

June 4.74 4.66 4.70 4.41 4.69 4.44 5.46 4.91
July 4.23 5.15 4.12 4.96 4.22 4.94 5.07 5.40
August 3.90 4.31 3.99 4.12 4.03 4.20 4.89 5.13
September 3.89 4.30 3.76 4.23 3.72 4.27 4.77 5.19
October 3.89 4.16 3.82 4.22 3.90 4.24 4.65 5.30
November 4.04 4.34 3.88 4.13 3.92 4.18 4.64 5.26
December 3.91 4.28 3.94 4.12 3.80 4.04 4.57 5.22
January 4.17 4.38 4.16 4.27 4.09 4.22 4.63 5.30
February 4.38 4.65 4.26 4.55 4.28 4.54 4.74 5.39
March 4.24 4.76 4.06 4.69 4.14 4.75 4.70 5.64
April 4.14 -- 3.93 -- 4.08 -- 4.61 --
May 4.20 -- 4.08 -- 4.19 -- 4.77 --
-- = Not available or no quote.
¹ Free on board.
Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, State Grain Reports.

Date run: 4/11/2018

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Table 8--Wheat: U.S. exports and imports for last 6 months (1,000 bushels), 4/12/2018
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Item 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018
Exports All wheat grain 86,268 51,022 51,641 79,137 65,821 51,423
All wheat flour¹ 909 707 866 1,073 964 1,094
All wheat products² 542 454 435 566 473 523
Total all wheat 87,719 52,183 52,942 80,776 67,258 53,040

Imports All wheat grain 8,920 8,285 9,640 9,389 9,775 9,137
All wheat flour¹ 1,231 1,554 1,499 1,253 1,446 1,301
All wheat products² 1,409 1,717 1,777 1,720 1,680 1,657
Total all wheat 11,560 11,556 12,915 12,362 12,901 12,095

Totals may not add due to rounding.

¹ Expressed in grain-equivalent bushels. Includes meal, groats, and durum.
² Expressed in grain-equivalent bushels. Includes bulgur, couscous, and selected categories of pasta.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics; and ERS calculations using
Census trade statistics.

Date run: 4/11/2018

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Suggested Citation
Bond, Jennifer K., and Olga Liefert. Wheat Outlook, WHS-18d, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic
Research Service, April 12, 2018.

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Wheat Outlook, WHS-18d, April 12, 2018
USDA, Economic Research Service