America’s Wheat Harvest Set to Fall to Lowest Level in 150 Years
Summary
The United States is expected to plant the smallest amount of wheat since 1877, due to drought, high costs, and uncertain markets. The USDA estimates that in 2026, the total wheat planting area will drop by 6 percent compared to last year, affecting major wheat-producing states like Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.Key Facts
- The USDA predicts 42.7 million acres of wheat planted in 2026, down 6% from 2025 and 1 million acres below earlier forecasts.
- Winter wheat acreage is expected to be 31.5 million acres, the lowest in about 150 years.
- Severe drought and heat from May 2025 to April 2026, the warmest 12-month period on record, have damaged crops.
- Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma face the largest decreases in wheat acreage, with Texas losing 3.9 million acres.
- Farmers are planting less wheat due to high input costs like fuel and fertilizer, worsened by the Iran conflict closing the Strait of Hormuz.
- Spring wheat and durum wheat planting areas are both declining, by 6% and 16% respectively.
- Wheat provides about 20% of both calories and protein for many poor people worldwide.
- Experts expect wheat planting to remain low or decrease further in 2027 due to ongoing challenges.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
