Record Low US Winter Wheat Production Hits in 2026
US winter wheat production hit a record low in 2026 due to lower harvested area and weaker yields, according to the latest data from UkrAgroConsult. The total harvested area fell to 20.89 million acres from 25.58 million acres the previous year, while average yield dropped to 48.8 bushels per acre from 54.9 bushels per acre.
The decline in output was widespread across the country, with hard red winter (HRW) wheat production falling particularly sharply to 466.4 million bushels from 806.3 million bushels in 2025, a drop of around 42%. Soft red winter production also decreased to 253.9 million bushels.
The state of Kansas saw one of the steepest declines, with winter wheat production falling to 200.6 million bushels from 346.8 million bushels the previous year, while average yield dropped to 34 bushels per acre from 51 in 2025.