Farmers harvesting wheat in India Source: Reuters/Rajendra Jadhav
The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

  • India’s wheat output is set to fall as a heat wave impacts crop yields in the region
  • In March, the country saw a record average maximum temperature of 33.1 degrees, with high averages also seen in April
  • India was originally on course to harvest a record amount of 111.32 million tonnes of wheat this year, however, output is now predicted to fall to 105 million tonnes
  • At a time of already elevated wheat prices, an output fall is expected to add more pressure as India is the world’s second largest producer of the grain
  • The price of wheat is trading 0.33 per cent higher today at US$10.59 per bushel

India’s wheat output is set to fall as a heat wave impacts crop yields in the region.

In March, the country saw a record average maximum temperature of 33.1 degrees, with high averages also seen in April.

Farmers often time their crops so the wheat is ready during the cooler spring months of March and April. However, the early heat wave will likely reduce the country’s harvest.

India was originally on course to harvest a record amount of 111.32 million tonnes of wheat this year, however, output is now predicted to fall to 105 million tonnes.

At a time of already elevated wheat prices, the output fall is expected to add more pressure as India is the world’s second largest producer of the grain.

Prior to the heat wave, India was greatly benefitting from exporting its record wheat crops at higher prices. Strong demand was seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed wheat prices almost 50 per cent higher.

India’s meteorological department has warned the elevated temperatures are likely to continue in May.

The price of wheat is trading 0.33 per cent higher today at US$10.59 per bushel.

More From The Market Online

RBA keeps interest rates on hold in line with expectations

The Reserve Bank of Australia has acted largely in line with expectations and kept Australia's interest…

Aussie unemployment still too low, but Q1 2024 increase tipped: Oxford Economics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released unemployment data for October, posting a return to 3.7…

Building Approvals up 7.5 per cent, CapEx also climbs

The number of dwelling approvals rose 7.5 per cent last month, in a big turn around…

Australian unemployment rate remains at 3.9pc despite 65,000 job losses

Australia saw a significant employment drop of 65,000 jobs in December 2023, marking the second-largest loss…