Worldwide consumption Wheat is grown on more than 218,000,000 hectares (540,000,000 acres),[64] a larger area than for any other crop. World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. With rice, wheat is the world's most favored staple food. It is a major diet component because of the wheat plant's agronomic adaptability with the ability to grow from near arctic regions to equator, from sea level to plains of Tibet, approximately 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level. In addition to agronomic adaptability, wheat offers ease of grain storage and ease of converting grain into flour for making edible, palatable, interesting and satisfying foods. Wheat is the most important source of carbohydrate in a majority of countries.[citation needed] Top wheat producers in 2014 Country millions of tonnes European Union 157.3 China 126.2 India 95.8 Russia 59.7 United States 55.1 France 39.0 Canada 29.3 Germany 27.8 Pakistan 26.0 Australia 25.3 Ukraine 24.1 World 720