Wheat

Wheat is one of the most significant and ancient cereal grains in human history. Its cultivation began approximately 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent of West Asia. Today, it serves as a staple food source for a large portion of the global population, particularly through its use in bread, pasta, and baked goods. Common wheat, also known as bread wheat, accounts for the vast majority of global production due to its versatility and adaptability.

As a global agricultural commodity, wheat is produced extensively across almost every continent. The largest producers include China, India, Russia, the United States, and Canada. Because it is a raw agricultural product rather than a singular manufactured brand, its 'manufacturing' is actually the process of harvesting and milling, which occurs locally within the countries where it is grown. Historically, the spread of wheat across Europe and later to the Americas marked major shifts in global nutrition and economy.

Ownership of wheat varies from independent smallholder farmers to massive multinational agribusinesses. While the grain itself is a biological resource, its distribution and processing are dominated by major global players often referred to as the 'ABCD' group of companies: ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus. These entities manage the global supply chains that move wheat from fields to consumer markets worldwide.