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2022-05-08T21:46:35Z

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{{Short description|Relating to food and beverage service}}
{{about|the cultural/political concept|| Basket (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Rice bowl |the American football championship in Japan|Rice Bowl}}
{{more citations needed|date= June 2008}}{{Agriculture}}

The '''breadbasket''' of a country or of a region is an area which, because of the richness of the [[soil]] and/or advantageous [[climate]], produces large quantities of [[wheat]] or other grain. '''Rice bowl'''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Drought_hits_millions_in_Thai_rice_region_government_999.html|title= Drought hits millions in Thai rice region: government|website= www.terradaily.com|access-date= 2018-01-01}}</ref> is a similar term used to refer to [[Southeast Asia]]; and California's [[Salinas Valley]] is sometimes referred to as America’s '''salad bowl'''.<ref name="Salad 1">{{cite news|last= Bryce|first= Emma|title= Wildlife forced out of California 'salad bowl' by food safety regulations|url= https://www.theguardian.com/environment/world-on-a-plate/2013/may/08/wildlife-california-salad-bowl-food-safety|access-date= 2013-08-05|newspaper= The Guardian|date= 2013-05-08}}</ref><ref name="Salad 2">{{cite news|last= Kaplan|first= Sheila|title= Salinas, California: The Salad Bowl of Pesticides|url= http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/21/salinas-california-the-salad-bowl-of-pesticides/|access-date= 2013-08-05|newspaper= Politics Daily}}</ref> Such regions may be the subject of fierce political disputes which may even escalate into full military conflicts.<ref>
For example: [[Ukraine]] in 1941-1944 during World War II:
{{cite book
| last1 = Snyder
| first1 = Timothy
| author-link1 = Timothy D. Snyder
| chapter = The Economics of Apocalypse
| title = Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin
| location = New York
| publisher = Basic Books
| publication-date = 2010
| page = 161
| isbn = 9780465002399
| quote = Food from Ukraine was as important to the Nazi vision of an eastern empire as it was to Stalin's defense of the integrity of the Soviet Union. Stalin's Ukrainian 'fortress' was Hitler's Ukrainian 'breadbasket.' [...] Hitler wanted Ukraine 'so that no one is able to starve us again, like in the last war.'
}}
</ref>

Breadbaskets have become important within the global [[food system]]: concentrating global food-production in a small number of countries, and (in countries such as India) in small geographic regions.<ref name="mckinsey">
{{Cite web|last= Woetzel|first= Jonathan
|title= Will the world's breadbaskets become less reliable?
|url= https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/will-the-worlds-breadbaskets-become-less-reliable#:~:text=Climate%20change%20could%20affect%20food,heat%20waves,%20and%20excessive%20precipitation.
|access-date= 2021-03-12|website= McKinsey & Company|language= en}}
</ref> As [[Effects of climate change|climate change increase weather variability]] around the world, the [[Effects of climate change on agriculture|likelihood of multiple breadbaskets failing at one time increases dramatically]].<ref name="mckinsey" /> The [[2022 food crises]] has been in part facilitated by a series of failures in key breadbasket regions, at the same time that the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] created significant potential disruption of the respective breadbasket regions important for global wheat and oil seed production.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Julia Horowitz |title=War has brought the world to the brink of a food crisis |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/12/business/food-crisis-ukraine-russia/index.html |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Colum |title=U.N. to Keep Beasley at WFP as Food Crises Roil the World |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/17/un-wfp-david-beasley-food-crisis/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonough |first=Siobhan |date=2022-02-27 |title=What the Russian invasion of Ukraine could mean for global hunger |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2022/2/27/22950805/russia-ukraine-food-prices-hunger-invasion-war |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nicas |first=Jack |date=2022-03-20 |title=Ukraine War Threatens to Cause a Global Food Crisis |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/20/world/americas/ukraine-war-global-food-crisis.html |access-date=2022-04-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Keith |date=2022-03-21 |title="Global Food Crisis" Possible- - "No Precedent Even Close to This Since World War II" • Farm Policy News |url=https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2022/03/global-food-crisis-possible-no-precedent-even-close-to-this-since-world-war-ii/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Farm Policy News |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Further|Grain trade}}

===Classical antiquity===
[[Sicily]] and [[Africa Province|Africa]] were considered the breadbaskets of the [[Roman Republic]]. Later on, [[Aegyptus (Roman province)|Egypt]] was considered the breadbasket of the [[Roman Empire]]. [[Crimea]] was the source of a huge quantity of grain supplied to Greek city-states, especially [[Athens]]. Similarly in both India and China, each empire had a significant source of grain concentrated in certain geographies. the [[Fall of the Western Roman Empire|fall of the Roman Empire]] was in part precipitated by a decline in safe [[grain trade]] from Egypt.

==Africa==
[[File:Miliana situation.JPG|thumb|[[Wheat]] field in [[Miliana]], Algeria]]
In [[Agriculture in South Africa|South Africa]], the [[Free State (South African province)|Free State]] province is often considered the country's breadbasket due to its wheat, sunflower, and maize fields.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 March 2006|title=South Africa : Accommodation : Free State|url=http://www.doorway.co.za/accommodation--freestate--south_africa.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328074350/http://www.doorway.co.za/accommodation--freestate--south_africa.asp|archive-date=2006-03-28}}</ref> The [[Overberg]] region in the [[Western Cape]] is also known as the breadbasket of South Africa due to its large wheat fields, as well as fruit growing.<ref>http://www.thegeoshop.co.za/mapsslingsby/overberg.htm {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929161708/http://www.thegeoshop.co.za/mapsslingsby/overberg.htm|date=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

[[Zimbabwe]], formerly known as [[Rhodesia]], was  known as the breadbasket of Africa until 2000, exporting wheat, tobacco, and corn to the wider world, especially to other African nations. However today, [[Zimbabwe]], is a net importer of foodstuffs from the Western World.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 April 2005|title=From Breadbasket to Dustbowl|url=http://spectator.org/48721_breadbasket-dustbowl/|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref>
There seems to be more of a debate if Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa, as over a 55-year period Zimbabwe never topped a 10% share of maize on the continent. From 1960 to 1980 it only hit 6% lower than Kenyas' contribution and on par with Nigeria.

===Morocco===
Since [[subsistence agriculture]] was the dominant economic system in most of [[Agriculture in Morocco|Morocco's]] history, it's difficult to speak of a breadbasket region. All regions produced their own wheat and barley to feed themselves and their livestock. With the European commercial penetration in the second half of the 19th century, Morocco started to export wheat to Europe despite the objection of the [[ulama]] (religious establishment). The [[Chaouia (region)|Chaouia]] and [[Doukkala]] plains became the most important suppliers of wheat for export. This is logical given their proximity to the coast. The ports of [[Casablanca]] and Feddala, today's [[Mohammedia]], serviced the Chaouia Plain while the port of [[Mazagan]] serviced Doukkala.

After Morocco's independence, agriculture in Doukkala became geared toward irrigation so less area has been devoted to wheat, whereas Chaouia maintained its status as a major wheat-producing region thanks to its dark soil called ''tirs'' and relatively abundant rainfall (avg. 400 mm/year).

==Asia==
[[File:Agriculture in India tractor farming Punjab preparing field for a wheat crop without burning previous crop stalk.jpg|thumb|Wheatfield in [[Punjab]], India]]
[[File:1213Canantong, Laur, Nueva Ecija 47.jpg|thumb|Ricefield in [[Nueva Ecija]], Philippines]]
{| class="wikitable"
!State
!Breadbasket / Ricebowl
|-
|[[Agriculture in China|China]]
|[[Sichuan]] has historically been known as the "province of abundance" due to its agricultural prowess. The regions on the banks of the [[Yellow River]] and [[Yangtze River]] southern Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have also been known for their rich fertility.
|-
|[[India]]
|The [[Punjab region|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]] regions are considered the breadbaskets of [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|date=13 June 2010|title=India takes blow to the breadbasket|language=en|work=The National|url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/india-takes-blow-to-the-breadbasket-1.511790|access-date=2020-09-11}}</ref>

[[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[West Bengal]] are said to be the "rice bowl" of India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-01-06|title=Most Crucial facts about Andhra Pradesh (The Rice Bowl of India)|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/most-crucial-facts-about-andhra-pradesh-the-rice-bowl-of-india-1452076579-1|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 January 2020|title=Reviving Our Rice Bowl: Bengal Farmers Preserve 200+ Traditional Rice Varieties|work=The Better India|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/208183/bengal-traditional-rice-seeds-growing-yield-organic-farmers-lakhs-india/|access-date=2020-09-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Indonesia|Indonesia]]
|The plains of [[Java]] are considered the rice bowls of Indonesia.
|-
|[[South Korea|Korea, South]]
|The [[Honam]] region, which is most commonly defined by [[Jeolla Province]], has been considered throughout the peninsula's pre-divided history and is considered the breadbasket of the country due to its agricultural significance and geographical fertility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Seoul Times|url=https://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=13473|access-date=2021-02-05|website=theseoultimes.com}}</ref> Notably, the region is home to the renowned [[Bibimbap|Jeonju Bibimbap]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-14|title=JEONJUCITY BLOG|url=https://jeonjucity.kr/jeonju-bibimbap-popular-traditional-korean-dish-among-foreigners/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=JEONJUCITY BLOG|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-01|title=Historical and biological aspects of bibimbap, a Korean ethnic food|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618115000268|journal=Journal of Ethnic Foods|language=en|volume=2|issue=2|pages=74–83|doi=10.1016/j.jef.2015.05.002|issn=2352-6181|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-20|title=The Story of Jeonju Bibimbap|url=https://koreatourinformation.com/blog/2014/03/20/the-story-of-jeonju-bibimbap-2/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=koreatourinformation.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[North Korea|Korea, North]]
|The plains defined by [[Hwanghae Province]] are considered the breadbasket of the nation due to its geographical significance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gi|first=Jang Seul|date=2019-09-10|title=Typhoon Lingling ravages North Korea’s breadbasket|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/typhoon-lingling-devastates-beadbasket/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Daily NK|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Malaysia|Malaysia]]
|[[Kedah]] is considered the rice bowl of Malaysia, accounting for about half of Malaysia's total production of rice. In 2008, the government of Kedah banned the conversion of [[paddy field]]s to housing and industrial lots to protect the rice industry.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Myanmar|Myanmar]]
|The [[Irrawaddy Delta]] in Myanmar used to be one of the most important sources of rice in the region until its production declined due to various reasons, including the country's unstable political situation.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Pakistan|Pakistan]]
|The [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab province]] is considered the breadbasket of [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite news|date=6 August 2010|title=Pakistan flood: Sindh braces as water envelops southern Punjab|work=Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/05/pakistan-flood-spreads-punjab-sindh|access-date=2013-07-20}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in the Philippines|Philippines]]
|The province of [[Nueva Ecija]], found on [[Luzon]] island, is considered the rice [[granary]] of the Philippines because of the vast tracts of land used for rice production.
The island of [[Mindanao]] is known as the country's '''food basket'''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Anonymous|date=15 October 2015|title=Fruits of peace|work=The Economist|publisher=The Economist Group|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2015/10/15/fruits-of-peace|access-date=2019-10-30|quote=The Philippines is the world’s third-leading exporter of bananas. Three-quarters of the country’s production of the fruit comes from Mindanao, long known as the Philippines’ food basket.}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Syria|Syria]]
|The [[Al-Jazira, Mesopotamia|Al-Jazira]] area in northwestern [[Syria]], and its [[Euphrates]] basin is considered the country's breadbasket due to its abundance of wheat.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Thailand|Thailand]]
|The [[Chao Phraya]] delta is considered the rice bowl of Thailand.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Vietnam|Vietnam]]
|The [[Mekong delta]] in Vietnam is considered the country's rice bowl.
|}

== Europe ==
[[File:Field in County Kildare.jpg|thumb|Wheatfield in [[County Kildare]], Ireland]]
[[File:Wheat fields at Nöbbelöv, Lund - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|right|Wheat fields near [[Lund]] in [[Scania]], Sweden.]]
{| class="wikitable"
!State
!Breadbasket / Ricebowl
|-
|[[Agriculture in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]
|[[Southern Dobruja]], a fertile plain region in Bulgaria's northeast between the [[Danube]] and the [[Black Sea]], is commonly considered the country's breadbasket.<ref name="vatahov">{{cite news|last=Vatahov|first=Ivan|date=2001-08-23|title=Drought leads to low yields in Dobrudja|work=The Sofia Echo|publisher=Sofia Echo Media Ltd.|url=http://sofiaecho.com/2001/08/23/625626_drought-leads-to-low-yields-in-dobrudja|access-date=2015-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Duijzings|first=Ger|title=Global Villages: Rural and Urban Transformations in Contemporary Bulgaria|date=2014|publisher=Anthem Press|isbn=9781783083510|pages=110}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Cyprus|Cyprus]]
|The central plain called [[Mesaoria]] surrounding the capital [[Nicosia]] has long served as the island's [[granary]].
|-
|[[Agriculture in Finland|Finland]]
|The regions of [[Southwest Finland]] and [[Uusimaa]], have the warmest climatic conditions in continental Finland and fertile soil thanks to their southern location, making them the breadbaskets of Finland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elinkeinoelämä|url=http://www.varsinais-suomi.fi/fi/maakunta/elinkeino|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602133538/http://www.varsinais-suomi.fi/fi/maakunta/elinkeino|archive-date=2016-06-02|access-date=2016-08-07|publisher=Regional Council of Southwest Finland}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in France|France]]
|The [[Beauce, France|Beauce]] plains are considered the breadbasket of [[France]].
|-
|[[Agriculture in Germany|Germany]]
|[[East Prussia]] was considered as the breadbasket of the [[German Reich]].<ref>[http://archiv.preussische-allgemeine.de/ow1960/1960_08_01_08.pdf Einst Deutschlands Kornkammer: Neusiedler haben keine Beziehung zum Land], Ostpreussen-Warte, 1960</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Hungary|Hungary]]
|The [[Hungarian Plain]] has produced significant amounts of corn and grain. In the early 20th century, 34% of Europe's total corn production and 11% of the European flour production was grown in Hungary.
|-
|[[Ireland]]
|The eastern half of Ireland is the traditional breadbasket of the country, with the western part being used for [[pasture]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Food, feasting and folklore|url=http://www.independent.ie/editorial/StoryPlus/food-feasting-and-folklore/|website=www.independent.ie}}</ref>

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Ireland was itself the breadbasket of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], with Irish grain feeding Britain's industrial cities while Irish peasants subsisted on [[potatoes]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Halloran|first=Amy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct4BCgAAQBAJ&q=ireland+%22bread+basket%22&pg=PA6|title=The New Bread Basket: How the New Crop of Grain Growers, Plant Breeders, Millers, Maltsters, Bakers, Brewers, and Local Food Activists Are Redefining Our Daily Loaf|date=26 June 2015|publisher=Chelsea Green Publishing|isbn=9781603585682|via=Google Books}}</ref> This would lead to the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]] of the 1840s.<ref>{{cite web|last=bairishstudies|date=12 January 2016|title=The Eighteenth-century Celtic Tiger|url=https://bairishstudies.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/175/}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Bourke|first=Angela|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qZ6W1LiIyYYC&q=%22bread+basket%22&pg=PA1661|title=The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing|date=10 April 1991|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=9780814799079|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Pickering|first1=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnmxAwAAQBAJ&q=+%22bread+basket%22&pg=PA75|title=The People's Bread: A History of the Anti-Corn Law League|last2=Tyrell|first2=Alex|date=1 August 2000|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=9780567204974|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Portugal|Portugal]]
|[[Alentejo]] is considered the breadbasket of Portugal.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Romania|Romania]]
|In the 19th century, Romania was considered part of [[Europe]]'s breadbasket.<ref>Sheilah Kast and Jim Rosapepe, ''Dracula Is Dead'' (2009) p 104</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Russia|Russia]]
|There is the [[Central Black Earth Region]] in Russia proper.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Serbia|Serbia]]
|[[Vojvodina]] was considered the breadbasket of Serbia. About 70% of its agricultural products are corn, 20% industrial herbs, and 10% other agricultural cultures.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Spain|Spain]]
|[[Andalusia]] is considered the breadbasket of Spain. The primary cultivation is dryland farming of cereals, olive trees, vineyards and sunflowers. Using irrigation, a large amount of maize, strawberries, citrus and rice are also grown on the banks of the [[Guadalquivir]] river.
|-
|[[Slovenia]]
|In the 18th century, there were plans to drain the [[Ljubljana Marsh]] and transform it into the breadbasket of [[Carniola]].<ref>Melik, Anton. 1959. ''Slovenija: Geografski Opis,'' vol. 2, part 3. Ljubljana: Slovenska Matica, p. 187.</ref><ref>Vidic, Marko. 1987. "Agrarna revolucija." ''Enciklopedija Slovenije'', vol. 1, pp. 20–21. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga.</ref>
|-
|[[Agriculture in Sweden|Sweden]]
|[[Scania]] is considered the breadbasket of [[Sweden]]. The yield per unit area is higher than in any other region in Sweden and the soil is among the most fertile in the world. The Scanian plains are an important resource for the rest of Sweden since 25–95% of the total production of various types of cereals come from the region.
|-
|[[Agriculture in Ukraine|Ukraine]]
|During Tsarist times, the [[Little Russia|Ukrainian provinces]] of the [[Russian Empire]] were referred to as the Empire's breadbasket.<ref>[https://theweek.com/article/index/257616/ukraines-fraught-relationship-with-russia-a-brief-history Ukraine's fraught relationship with Russia: A brief history]. The Week. March 8, 2014</ref> During the Soviet era, the mantle passed to the [[Ukrainian SSR]].
|-
|[[Agriculture in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]
|The [[East Anglia]] area of the [[East of England]] is sometimes referred to as "Britain’s breadbasket", where a combination of climate, landscape and soils are well suited to growing wheat; in 2010 sufficient to produce 5,774 million loaves of bread.<ref>{{cite web|author=|date=16 May 2016|title=Farming in East Anglia|url=https://www.nfuonline.com/about-us/our-offices/east-anglia/east-anglia-key-content/farming-in-east-anglia/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=www.nfuonline.com|publisher=National Farmers' Union}}</ref>
|}

==The Americas==
===North America===
[[File:Corn belt.svg|thumb|400px|The United States [[Corn Belt]]]]
In Canada, a major grain-growing area is called the [[Canadian prairies]]. Sometimes the province of [[Saskatchewan]], also known for producing a huge supplement of [[potash]], is further singled out from within this region as the main breadbasket of Canada.

In the United States, an important region is the [[Corn Belt]], where maize and soybeans are major crops, which generally extends from the [[Great Lakes]] south through [[Missouri]].<ref>{{citation |chapter-url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Corn-Belt |chapter=Corn Belt Region, United States |title=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref> Further to the west in both the United States and Canada, east of the [[Rocky Mountains]], is the [[Wheat production in the United States#Geography|Wheat Belt]], where the climate is too severe for maize or soybeans.<ref>{{citation |chapter-url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Wheat-Belt-North-America |chapter=Wheat Belt Region, North America |title=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref>

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the [[Shenandoah Valley]] was known as the Breadbasket of the Confederacy.<ref name="shenandoahatwar">{{cite web|url=https://www.shenandoahatwar.org/our-once-beautiful-but-now-desolated-valley/#:~:text=During%20the%20Civil%20War%20the,importance%20to%20the%20Southern%20cause.&text=Thus%2C%20in%20the%20context%20of,the%20Breadbasket%20of%20the%20Confederacy.%E2%80%9D|title="Our once beautiful but now desolated Valley"|website=Shenandoah at War|accessdate=2021-03-17}}</ref>

Additionally, the [[San Joaquin Valley]] in [[California]] has also been called the breadbasket of the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eb5northerncalifornia.com/index.php?page=breadbasket-of-the-world|title=EB5 Northern California - Breadbasket Of The World|website=eb5northerncalifornia.com|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> The San Joaquin Valley produces the majority of the 12.8% of the United States' agricultural production (as measured by dollar value) that comes from California.<ref name="ca.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/files/CDFA_Sec2.pdf|date=2009-04-06|title=Agricultural Statistical Review|work=California Agricultural Resource Directory 2008–2009 |accessdate=2021-03-17}}</ref> Grapes—table, raisin, and, to a lesser extent, wine—are perhaps the valley's highest-profile product, but equally (if not more) important are cotton, nuts (especially almonds and pistachios), citrus, and vegetables. 70% of the world's and 100% of the U.S. supply of [[almonds]] comes from the valley. Oranges, peaches, garlic, tangerines, tomatoes, kiwis, hay, alfalfa and numerous other crops have been harvested with great success. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture's ranking of market value of agricultural products sold, nine of the nation's top 10, and 12 of the top 20, producing counties are in California.<ref name="ca.gov" />

=== South America ===
[[File:Sembrado de cebada en argentina.jpg|thumb|Barleyfield in [[Los Toldos]], Argentina]]
During the 19th and 20th centuries, [[Argentina]] was known as the ''breadbasket of the world'', due to the importance that agriculture had, and still has, in the country. Argentina's cereal cultivation is found in the [[Pampas]] region, which encompasses the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba and La Pampa. Within this region, many cities, such as [[Pergamino]], [[Venado Tuerto]] and [[Rosario]], are one of the most fertile areas in the continent. Some of the plantations include [[soybeans]], [[maize]], [[wheat]], [[barley]], [[sunflower]] and [[peanut]], among others.

In the 19th century, access to the [[California]]n and [[Australia]]n markets made wheat export a very lucrative activity, leading to the [[Chilean wheat cycle]].<ref name="mem">{{in lang|es}} ''[http://www.memoriachilena.cl/temas/dest.asp?id=haciendaexportacion La Hacienda (1830-1930)]''. Memoria Chilena.</ref> In the mid-19th century, those countries experienced large [[gold rush]]es, which created a large demand for wheat. [[Agriculture in Chile|Chile]] was at the time the "only wheat producer of some importance in the Pacific".<ref name="villalobos">{{in lang|es}} [[Sergio Villalobos|Villalobos, Sergio]]; [[Osvaldo Silva|Silva, Osvaldo]]; Silva, Fernando and Estelle, Patricio. 1974. ''Historia De Chile''. [[Editorial Universitaria]], Chile. pp. 481–485.</ref>

[[Agriculture in Brazil|Brazil]] is also seen as a breadbasket, as it is the world's largest supplier of coffee and contains vast tracts of arable land.

==Oceania==
===Australia===
The [[Murray-Darling Basin]] is seen as [[Agriculture in Australia|Australia]]'s breadbasket, being the source of 40% of the nation's agricultural income, a third of the wheat harvest, 95 percent of the rice crop and other products such as fruit, wine and cotton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/the_murraydarling_basin_a_catchment_in_crisis_64188 |title=The Murray-Darling Basin: A catchment in crisis |access-date=2008-10-12 |publisher=[[Special Broadcasting Service]] |date=2007-09-17 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===New Zealand===
When [[Agriculture in New Zealand|New Zealand]] became a [[British Empire|British colony]], the fertile lands produced food that would be shipped back to England, causing New Zealand to become colloquially known (occasionally along with Australia) as Britain's breadbasket, subsequently leading to the ''[[Dunedin (ship)|Dunedin]]'' being the first ship to complete a truly successful transport of [[Refrigeration|refrigerated]] meat. She was refitted with a refrigeration machine with which she took the first load of frozen meat from New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{wiktionary}}
* Myanmar Business Today; Print Edition, 27 February 2014. [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Myanmar-Business-Today-Feb-27-March-5-2014-Edition-A-Roadmap-to-Building-Myanmar-into-the-Food-Basket-of-Asia_David-DuByne-.pdf A Roadmap to Building Myanmar into the Food Basket of Asia], by David DuByne & Hishamuddin Koh

[[Category:Agricultural terminology]]

Breadbasket - Revision history

ImportMaster at 21:46, 8 May 2022