FAO Report: World Poised for Historic Harvests in 2025
The global agricultural sector is heading toward a landmark year, with major food staples expected to flood the market in unprecedented quantities. According to the latest November 2025 assessment from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world is on track to witness the highest-ever volumes of wheat, rice, and coarse grains during the 2025–26 marketing season.
Wheat and the Indian Connection
A combination of favorable weather patterns and expanded farming areas is driving this agricultural boom. The FAO report specifically highlights that global grain production regarding wheat is projected to jump by 2.5%, reaching a staggering 819 million tonnes.
For observers in India, the report brings positive news. India is credited as a key driver in this resurgence, alongside the European Union and Russia. The increase in India is largely attributed to better market prices, which have incentivized farmers to dedicate more land to wheat cultivation. While countries like Turkey and Pakistan faced setbacks due to lack of rain, strong yields in the EU and India have more than compensated for those deficits. Consequently, global wheat stocks are predicted to swell to nearly 329 million tonnes, ensuring a comfortable buffer for food security.
Rice Stocks Hit All-Time Highs
Rice, a staple essential to Odisha and the wider region, is also seeing a massive uptick. The FAO forecasts that milled rice output will climb to a historic peak of 556 million tonnes. This 1.2% growth is powered primarily by robust harvests across Asia and a record-breaking season in Latin America. Even with high demand for food and industrial use, production is outpacing consumption. This surplus is expected to push global rice inventories to a new record of 215 million tonnes.
Maize and Market Impact
The coarse grain sector, dominated heavily by maize, is not being left behind. Led by massive harvests in the United States and Brazil, this sector is expected to grow by 6.6%, reaching 1.61 billion tonnes. Southern Africa is also seeing a recovery in yields following the return of beneficial rains.
The most immediate impact of this supply boom is on the consumer's wallet. With global grain production creating abundant supplies, international prices have begun to soften. The FAO notes that the All Rice Price Index has already dropped to levels not seen since late 2021, signaling relief for import-dependent nations and consumers worldwide.
Image Source: rural voice
