Under normal conditions the chief wheat-growing countries in order of quantity produced before the world war were: United States, Russia, France, India, Italy, in the first rank; Spain, Austria-Hungary, Germany, in the second; followed by Canada, Argentina, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The latter is the chief importing country. The order, however, varies with the period considered. The wheat production of Canada and of Argentina has been steadily rising. Northern India, China, and Australia produce wheat in considerable quantities. In order of normal per capita consumption of wheat, France came first, then New Zealand, Australia, United States, Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Canada.
The statement is not infrequently made that the world's wheat production has reached its limit, but this is far from the truth. While the older method of milling prevailed, pulverizing the entire wheat for flour, the softer wheats were preferred and wheat growing was largely restricted to regions producing them. With the introduction into the flour mills of the steel roller process, by which the contents of the kernel are simply squeezed out of the husk, it was found that a most desirable, better keeping flour could be produced from hard, northern and western wheats. Wheat growing in the United States thereby received a great impetus and the producing area was vastly expanded over the great plains. By the opening of new regions like Siberia and by the introduction of suitable, perhaps new, varieties such as undoubtedly will result from scientifically conducted, systematic breeding experiments, the world's wheat production certainly is capable of considerable further expansion.
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