Uzbekistan to maintain wheat harvest at 14.7 mln tons in 2026 – FAO

According to the organization’s forecast, the country’s wheat harvest will remain unchanged from the expected 2025 results.

In 2026, Uzbekistan will maintain wheat production at 14.7 million tons, remaining one of the largest grain producers not only in Central Asia but also globally. These estimates are contained in the new Food Outlook report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), dedicated to the situation in global food markets.

According to the organization’s forecast, the country’s wheat harvest will remain unchanged from the expected 2025 results. In 2024, production was 13.4 million tons, and in 2025, it will increase to 14.7 million tons.

Amid the stable situation in Uzbekistan, neighboring Kazakhstan may face a significant decline in production. According to FAO estimates, the country’s wheat harvest will decline from 18 million tonnes in 2025 to 14 million tonnes in 2026, a decline of 22.2%.

At the same time, Iran will increase production from 12 million to 13.7 million tonnes (up 14.2%), and Pakistan will increase its grain harvest to 29.3 million tonnes (up 1.1%).

Overall, the global wheat harvest in 2026 is projected at 810.9 million tonnes, a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Several major exporters and producers are expected to see production declines, including the United States (-21.3%), Australia (-16.6%), Canada (-12.4%), Russia (-5.7%), and the European Union (-5.6%).

China will remain the world’s largest wheat producer, with a harvest of approximately 140 million tonnes. It is followed by the European Union (136.2 million tonnes) and India (120.2 million tonnes).

The stable forecast for Uzbekistan stands out against the backdrop of an expected decline in global production and deteriorating performance at several leading producers. This allows the country to maintain its status as a key wheat-growing center in Central Asia and support domestic food security.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is gradually reducing its dependence on foreign grain supplies. According to the May Wheat Outlook report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in the 2026/27 marketing year, the country will reduce its wheat imports from 5.5 million to 4 million tonnes. This represents a 27.3% reduction in purchase volumes.

Tags: wheat, Uzbekistan, crop forecast