The Scoreboard: France versus Germany by Volume and Share
Common wheat and spelt form the EU's largest cereal crop by volume. In 2024 the EU-27 harvested 111 585.5 thousand tonnes, and France again stood first with 25 376.8 thousand tonnes — 22.7% of the union's output.
Germany came second at 18 241.2 thousand tonnes, or 16.3%. The gap between the two is 7 135.6 thousand tonnes, which is 39.1% more than Germany's entire crop; together they grew 43 618.0 thousand tonnes, 39.1% of the EU total.
Behind them the field is tight: Poland third with 12 183.6 thousand tonnes (10.9%), Romania fourth with 9 259.2 (8.3%), Bulgaria fifth with 6 978.4 (6.3%), Spain sixth with 6 417.1 (5.8%), Hungary seventh with 5 003.6 (4.5%) and Czechia eighth with 4 598.3 (4.1%).
All values in 1 000 t. Share of the EU-27 total (111 585.5 thousand tonnes) in 2024, dataset apro_cpsh1.
| Country | 2024 production (1 000 t) | Share of EU | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 25 376.8 | 22.7% | 1 |
| Germany | 18 241.2 | 16.3% | 2 |
| Poland | 12 183.6 | 10.9% | 3 |
| Romania | 9 259.2 | 8.3% | 4 |
| Bulgaria | 6 978.4 | 6.3% | 5 |
France's Slide: From 29.8% to 22.7%
France began the decade at 40 468.5 thousand tonnes in 2015 and ended it at 25 376.8 in 2024 — a fall of 37.3%, or 15 091.7 thousand tonnes. Its share of EU output slipped from 29.8% to 22.7%, a loss of 7.1 percentage points.
Germany's decline was shallower: 26 462.3 thousand tonnes in 2015 against 18 241.2 in 2024, down 31.1% and 8 221.1 thousand tonnes. Its share moved from 19.5% to 16.3%.
The grouped chart of 2015 and 2024 shows who moved the other way. Poland climbed from 10 753.9 thousand tonnes and a 7.9% share to 12 183.6 (10.9%), a gain of 13.3%. Romania rose from 7 954.5 (5.9%) to 9 259.2 (8.3%), up 16.4%.
Common wheat and spelt, production in 1 000 t and compound annual change, 2015 versus 2024, dataset apro_cpsh1.
| Country | 2015 (1 000 t) | 2024 (1 000 t) | Net change | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 40 468.5 | 25 376.8 | −37.3% | −5.05%/yr |
| Germany | 26 462.3 | 18 241.2 | −31.1% | −4.05%/yr |
| Poland | 10 753.9 | 12 183.6 | +13.3% | +1.40%/yr |
| Romania | 7 954.5 | 9 259.2 | +16.4% | +1.70%/yr |
| EU-27 | 135 755.0 | 111 585.5 | −17.8% | −2.15%/yr |
The Challengers: Poland and Romania Climb
Poland is now the EU's third wheat grower, at 12 183.6 thousand tonnes and 10.9% of the 2024 crop — the higher of the two lines in the Poland-versus-Romania chart. Its output rose 13.3% over the decade, a compound 1.40% per year, from 10 753.9 thousand tonnes and a 7.9% share in 2015. Its best year was 2022 at 13 195.1 thousand tonnes and its weakest 2018 at 9 637.6.
Romania grew faster still: 7 954.5 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 9 259.2 in 2024, +16.4% across the decade and +1.70% per year, with its share up from 5.9% to 8.3%. The Romanian series is also the more uneven of the two, spanning a 2020 low of 6 381.7 thousand tonnes and a 2021 peak of 10 404.1.
Stability separates them. Poland's coefficient of variation is 9.3%, close to Germany's 9.9%; Romania's is 13.3%, the same as France's. Together Poland and Romania harvested 21 442.8 thousand tonnes in 2024 — 19.2% of the EU crop. Hungary, at 5 237.6 thousand tonnes in 2015, ends the decade at 5 003.6 (4.5%), down 4.5% and seventh in the 2024 table.
The two challengers against the two leaders, common wheat, 2024 position and decade change, dataset apro_cpsh1.
| Country | 2024 (1 000 t) | Share of EU | Net change | CAGR | CV 2015-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 12 183.6 | 10.9% | +13.3% | +1.40%/yr | 9.3% |
| Romania | 9 259.2 | 8.3% | +16.4% | +1.70%/yr | 13.3% |
| Hungary | 5 003.6 | 4.5% | −4.5% | −0.51%/yr | 7.2% |
| France | 25 376.8 | 22.7% | −37.3% | −5.05%/yr | 13.9% |
| Germany | 18 241.2 | 16.3% | −31.1% | −4.05%/yr | 9.9% |
Germany's Steady Hand: Yield, Area and the Reliable Second
France led all ten years from 2015 to 2024, but Germany's series is the calmer of the two. Its coefficient of variation across the window is 9.9% against France's 13.9% — roughly a third lower.
Land explains part of the gap. Germany's wheat area fell from 3 263.9 to 2 566.7 thousand hectares, down 21.4%, while France's went from 5 161.4 to 4 214.6 thousand hectares, down 18.3%. Germany still ends with 2 566.7 thousand hectares, 1 647.9 thousand hectares less than France's 4 214.6, and both countries register their decade low in 2024 — 18 241.2 thousand tonnes for Germany and 25 376.8 for France.
The 2024 yield chart ranks Ireland first in the EU at 8.14 t/ha, ahead of Germany (7.11), France (6.02), Hungary (5.74), Poland (5.11) and Romania (4.09). Germany therefore keeps about 18.1% more grain per hectare than France, a margin that cushions the smaller of the two areas.
France and Germany common wheat indicators, 2015-2024. CV = coefficient of variation of the annual series, dataset apro_cpsh1.
| Indicator | France | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 production (1 000 t) | 25 376.8 | 18 241.2 |
| 2015 production (1 000 t) | 40 468.5 | 26 462.3 |
| Net change 2015-2024 | −37.3% | −31.1% |
| CAGR 2015-2024 | −5.05%/yr | −4.05%/yr |
| CV 2015-2024 | 13.9% | 9.9% |
| 2024 area (1 000 ha) | 4 214.6 | 2 566.7 |
| Area change 2015-2024 | −18.3% | −21.4% |
| 2024 yield (t/ha) | 6.02 | 7.11 |
The EU Total: a Decade of Decline, 135 755.0 to 111 585.5
The EU-27 total peaked in the first year of the window at 135 755.0 thousand tonnes and bottomed in the last at 111 585.5, as the EU trend line shows — a decline of 17.8%, or 24 169.5 thousand tonnes, a compound −2.15% per year.
The aggregate is far steadier than either rival: its coefficient of variation is 5.8% against 13.9% for France and 9.9% for Germany. It does not fall monotonically either — the EU harvested 131 836.0 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 129 884.3 in 2021, both above the final year.
The area behind the 2024 crop moved in opposite directions. Poland's wheat area was practically unchanged, 2 395.5 to 2 385.7 thousand hectares (−0.4%), while Romania added land, 2 103.8 to 2 263.5 thousand hectares (+7.6%), and Hungary's fell from 1 029.3 to 872.2 thousand hectares (−15.3%).
2024 yield and the area behind it. Yield = production ÷ area, rounded to two decimals; dataset apro_cpsh1.
| Country | 2024 yield (t/ha) | 2024 area (1 000 ha) | Area change 2015-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 7.11 | 2 566.7 | −21.4% |
| France | 6.02 | 4 214.6 | −18.3% |
| Hungary | 5.74 | 872.2 | −15.3% |
| Poland | 5.11 | 2 385.7 | −0.4% |
| Romania | 4.09 | 2 263.5 | +7.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most wheat in the EU?
France, with 25 376.8 thousand tonnes in 2024 — 22.7% of the EU-27 total. Germany followed at 18 241.2 thousand tonnes (16.3%) and Poland at 12 183.6 (10.9%).
How much wheat do France and Germany grow together?
Together they grew 43 618.0 thousand tonnes in 2024, or 39.1% of the EU-27 production of 111 585.5 thousand tonnes.
Is EU wheat production declining?
Over 2015-2024, yes: from 135 755.0 to 111 585.5 thousand tonnes, down 17.8%, or −2.15% per year. A coefficient of variation of just 5.8% shows the series does not fall monotonically, however — 131 836.0 thousand tonnes were harvested in 2019 and 129 884.3 in 2021.
Is Romania's wheat production rising?
Yes: from 7 954.5 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 9 259.2 in 2024, +16.4% or +1.70% per year, with its share up from 5.9% to 8.3%. The series stays uneven (CV 13.3%), with a 2020 low of 6 381.7 and a 2021 peak of 10 404.1.
Source data extracted from Eurostat dataset apro_cpsh1.
This article was generated using AI. The content is based on Eurostat data and is provided as a starting point — please verify all data with the original source.
