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
Two zombie works sit at an office desk.

The ASX’s zombies problem has halved in the last 6 months – in all but 3 sectors

There's been a 41% decline in "zombies companies" listed on the ASX over the last six…
Michele Bullock appears alongside a Melbourne Cup racegoer and an inflation graph going up.

Race winners yes, rate cuts no: Zero chance Melbourne Cup day brings RBA trim after this CPI print

Today's inflation reports have all but confirmed the Reserve Bank won't be touching the cash rate…

Scalare Partner’s up 44% on todays news

Scalare Partners (ASX: SCP) announced a strategic collaboration with U.S. semiconductor accelerator Silicon Catalyst and the…