WHEAT

INTRODUCTION

Wheat is the most valuable of all the grains and is the main foodstuff of the white-races. Different varieties exist according to local conditions. Broadly speaking, it is a product of the Temperate Zone. Wheat is the most important commercial grain in temperate lands of the world. Most people prefer it as a staple (essential) food. Wheat is very important as a human food because it provides daily bread to large population.
Wheat has been derived from a number of species of Triticum. The home of major wheat species is Northwest Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Anatolian Plateau and Abyssinia. The common bread wheat (Triticum Vulgare) probably originated in northwestern part of Pakistan and southern Afghanistan and from there it has spread over other parts of the world. In Americas and Australia, wheat was carried by the Europeans in the 16th century.
Except the humid lands of monsoon Asia, wheat forms the major foodstuff of the rest of the world. It has better food value than rice. Wheat cultivation demonstrates different types and methods of farming. It is an item of;
1. intensive farming in Northwest Europe;
2. extensive farming in temperate grasslands;
3. subsistence farming in India;
4. modern and highly mechanized farming in USA, Canada and Australia;
5. dry farming in semi-arid lands of North America and Soviet Asia; and,
6. by irrigation in Pakistan and Egypt.

PHYSICAL OR GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS

Wheat is grown under varies conditions. It is produced in hot Arabia and cold Siberia. But this does not mean that it can resist extremes of heat, cold and drought alike.

Temperature

During the period of vegetative growth, it requires a cool climate. Places having temperature of 15 oC or more in the coolest month are generally unsuited for the production of wheat. So wheat is essentially a temperate crop and is absent from the equatorial lands. At the time of ripening and harvesting, the temperature should be above 14 oC, the poleward limit of wheat cultivation is set by 15 oC isotherm from the warmest month. That is why, wheat cultivation is not carried on in Canada – north of Lake Winnipeg - and in the Arctic regions of Siberia.

Rainfall

Wheat does not thrive in moist lands. Places where the annual rainfall exceeds 1125 mm (45 inches) are not suitable for its cultivation. This explains that why wheat cultivation is not common in Southeast Asia. The minimum rainfall required during growing period is 500 mm (20 inches) in warm lands like Pakistan and 250 mm (10 inches) in cool lands like Canada. But the rains must come during the period of growth and sunny conditions should prevail at the time of ripening and harvesting. If rain comes late, fungus diseases develop, pests attack the grain and water rots the crop. Hence regions enjoining the Mediterranean type of climate can be said to have ideal conditions for wheat cultivation. The climatic requirements have made wheat a winter crop in warm lands. It is sown in winter and harvested in spring or early summer. In lands where winter is very severe, it is a spring crop, sown in spring and harvested in late summer.

Soils

Wheat is known to grow on poor sandy soils, but it does best in the well-drained clayey loam having plenty of humus. Hence the dark colored, Chernozems of the temperate grass lands are the most suitable soils. It also gives a good return in adjoining chestnut brown soils. The volcanic soils and the wind carried Loess are other suitable soils.

ECONOMIC FACTORS

Wheat production is also regulated by economic factors:

Price pressure affects the cultivators’ choice the in producing the particular type of crop. Wheat production in Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium is ousted by price consideration of many other crops. For example, it is more profitable for the cultivator of these regions to grow rye, barley and oats to feed the cattle, maintained for dairy products. Dairy products are more profitable than the wheat.
In semi-arid lands, it is comparatively cheaper to grow wheat. Vast stretches of flat to rolling are available on which the tractors and combines can be used. Agriculture has been so highly mechanized that the giant machines cut, thresh, clean, sack, and weigh the wheat, untouched by the human hands. The soil being rich, requires little fertilizer. These lands situated at some distance from the densely populated regions, produce crops which can be easily transported.
Wheat fortunately is the easiest grain to be handled and has good keeping qualities. It can be shipped months after its harvest. All these factors have combined together to make wheat the main crop of temperate grasslands of Canada, Argentina, Australia and the USSR. Though the yield/hectare is low in these lands, ranging between 1,500 to 2,500 kg. UK, Germany, France and Netherlands have comparatively much higher yield.

WHEAT PRODUCING REGIONS

Europe

Four wheat growing/producing regions are important in Europe.

Northwest Europe

The 15 oC July isotherm marks the northern limit of wheat in Northwest Europe. In the south, it merges into other wheat growing regions. In western Britain, 1000 mm (40 inches) of annual rainfall sets the western limit. Mixed farming is practised because the pressure on land is heavy. Wheat is grown in rotation with other crops. Heavy machinery is not used, yet agricultural methods are not primitive. Price of land is high and fertilizers are used extensively. Population is dense and industrial centers are many. Therefore, much of the land is given to vegetable growing and growing of feed and pasture for cattle. Hence non of the countries in northwest Europe except France is self sufficient in wheat, which forms the main diet.
France is the leading producer of wheat in northwestern Europe followed by UK and West Germany. France is the 6th largest producer of wheat in the world.

Mediterranean Lands

The Mediterranean lands have an ideal climate for wheat with rains falling in winter, the growing season, and dry season permitting ripening and harvesting. But the amount of rainfall is variable. So the yield fluctuates from year to year. Most of the Mediterranean are rugged and eroded. Hence large areas cannot be given to wheat cultivation. Italy is the main producer with Po Valley as the principal region. Former Yugoslavia and Spain are next in importance. In Spain, wheat is grown in the interior plateau. Greece is another important producer.

Southeastern Europe

Southeastern Europe is a winter-wheat regions and embraces parts of former Czechoslovakia and Austria, and all of Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Wheat is produced mainly in major plains, which have deep alluvial and often loessial (wind blown) soils. The climate is continental as compared to northwestern Europe. Annual precipitation varies from 500 to 625 mm (20-25 inches) but the variability is considerable. The yield of wheat also varies from year to year and is generally low. The protein content of wheat is, however, high. These strong wheat are, therefore, in good demand in Western Europe.

USSR

The wheat belt of former USSR extends from the Ukraine to Central Siberia. Winter wheat is grown in the Ukraine in North Caucasus area and spring wheat Volga Siberian region. Rainfall in wheat belt is dangerously low highly variably. Draught, as those of 1921, 1936 and 1946, causes considerable damage. Major irrigation projects around the Caspian and Black Sea have been taken up recently.
The former USSR wheat belt is a vast plain with deep Chernozem or Chestnut brown soils. Large scale machine agriculture is possible in areas like this. Under collective farming, large wheat farms called Kolkhozey have been created after 1929. Wheat farming has been mechanized with tractors, harrows, drills and combines.
With a production of over 90 million tons, the former USSR, the world’s second leading wheat producing nation after China, grew about 16% of total world population in 1989. Even at the level of production the country has a growing wheat deficit that requires greater quantities of imports. The yield per hectare is, however, low but the wheat is excellent with a high protein content.
Wheat accounts for about half of the total grain production in the USSR, and about 90% of food grain production. Winter wheat predominates in the Ukraine, but farther east spring wheat must be grown because of the severe winters. Nearly all of the Soviet crop is hard wheat.

Asia

The wheat growing areas of Asia stretch outward from the rice belt. Several areas are particularly important.

East Asia

China, the leading producer of wheat in Asia, became the largest producer in the world in 1987. In the Yangtze Valley, both rice and wheat are grown and to its north wheat becomes the dominant crop, 1250 mm (50 inches) annual isohyet is generally taken to be the southern limit of wheat cultivation in China. Both spring and winter wheat are grown. The north China plain, the Loessial Highlands of northwest China, the Yangtze Delta and the Szechwan Basin are the areas of concentration.
Wheat, although only a subsidiary crop in the south is grown all over China. Chinese regions are divided as follows:

Winter Wheat-Kaoliang Region

Most of the wheat areas in China lie in northern China between Kokonor, Tsinghai, and Honan. The shorter winter and longer growing season have made the northern plain of China, the traditional area of winter wheat and kaoliang (sorghum). Winter wheat is sown in October, often inter-planted with rapeseed, and harvested in June.

Winter Wheat-Millet Region

Loess plateau (soil type) is important for winter wheat and millet crops. The area of farming without irrigation, extending to east Kansu, narrows to the northeast as rainfall decreases and the season grows shorter. In the valleys and basins, wheat is grown in winter and kaoliang and maze in summer.

Spring Wheat Region

This is the marginal belt extending from east to west and following the Mongolian border. The January mean temperature is below –10 oC. Precipitation does not reach 500 mm (20 inches) except in the marginal areas, and it decreases and highly unpredictable as one goes westwards. Spring wheat is sown in early May and reaped in September. Wheat accounts for no more than 1/10th of the total grain crop. Sesame, rapeseed and millets are also grown.

Yangtze Rice and Wheat Region

This is the southern most wheat growing region. The growing season lasts for 12 months and wheat is favorite winter crop. The rainfall is mostly over 1000 mm (40 inches) and is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, though still with summer maxima. Wheat is winter crop in Yangtze Valley. Winter wheat, barley, rapeseed, soybean, sesame are sown in October and generally need some irrigation.
Japan and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are other producers of wheat in East Asia.

South Asia

Pakistan and India are the major producers of wheat in South Asia. Wheat is a winter crop in Pakistan and India. It is generally sown in November and harvesting in early spring. Wheat is mostly grown outside the hot humid areas of rice production.

India

Wheat is the second most important crop in India and comes only next to rice. India is the forth largest producer of wheat in the world and second in Asia. Indian share to the world wheat production is around 10%, while the area under cultivation is 11% of the total area of the world under wheat cultivation. Punjab, Haryana, western UP, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujrat and Bihar states are chief producers of wheat in India. The Sutlej-Ganga plain with its fertile, alluvium-loamy soil, its moderate rainfall; its cool winter and abundant irrigation facilities easily occupy an important place in wheat producing areas.
It is only in western Bihar that both rice and wheat are important crops. East of this area, rice dominates and west of it, wheat is predominant. The upper Ganges Valley, Indus Valley and northwestern Deccan are the main areas of wheat production. In the first two regions, extensive canal irrigation is practised. In the foothills of Himalayas, the winter rainfall is enough to raise the a crop without irrigation. In northwestern Deccan, the average annual rainfall varies from 500-1000 mm (20-40 inches) mostly coming in summer. But in regur soils, which are retentive of moisture, wheat is grown without irrigation.

Pakistan

Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of wheat in Asia and 8th in the world. The bulk of wheat is grown in the Indus plains.
The wheat is the principal food crop of the people. It occupies an important position in farming policies. The share of wheat in total cropped area is about 40%. The area under wheat crop was 8,367,000 hectares and wheat output 17.5 million tons in 1995-96.
The area and yield of wheat has gradually increased in Pakistan due to introduction of new wheat varieties, improved agronomic practices, increased water availability and improved water use efficiently, greater use of fertilizers, wide spread use of mechanical implements, better storage facilities, and a supporting price policy.

Year-------Area (000 hec.)---Production (000 ton)--Yield (kg/hec.)
1992-93-------8099.70-------16156.50---------------1946
1993-94-------8034.20-------15213.00---------------1894
1994-95-------8152.30-------16699.00---------------2048
1995-96-------8367.00-------17570.00---------------2100
1996-97-------8157.00-------17000.00---------------2060
1997-98-------8400.00-------18570.00---------------2200
1998-99 ------15500.00-----------------------------Expected

Southwest Asia

Southwest Asia and the adjoining parts of Pakistan are the home of wheat. It is still the main crop of the area and chief diet of the people. Wheat is a winter crop in plain areas and a spring crop in some higher lands like, the high valleys of Zagros (southwestern Iran) and Elburz (northern Iran), and the Anatolian Plateau.
Large area of southwest Asia are either too rugged or too dry for crop production. Wherever agriculture is possible, first preference among the cereals is given to wheat and in areas too dry for wheat, barley is the chief crop.
Turkey (3rd in Asia, 7th in world) leads the region in wheat production, where it is grown mostly in scattered areas on plateaus and valleys of central Anatolia. Substantial amount of irrigated wheat is grown in the valleys of Tigris (Kurdistan) and Euphrates (Kurdistan). The wheat fields of Jordan, Israel and Syria are located in the central plain and largely depend upon winter rainfall.
In Iran, the wheat regions are scattered in areas where irrigation is possible. The important areas are the Meshed Region of Khorasan province, the valleys of northwest and central Zagros and better water parts of Khuzistan.

North America

North America, with its fertile soils, its moderate rainfall, its cool winters, and abundant irrigation facilities, easily occupied the largest share in the world wheat heritage. Today, the Great Plains produce a large wheat crop every year.
Wheat production in North America dates back from the 17th century in the Atlantic Sea board of the USA. From there, it began to migrate westward with the opening of the new frontiers. It had crossed the Mississippi River by 1840, and by 1859 California was the leading state in wheat production. Today wheat in America has reached the physical features and is grown in areas best suited from physical and economical point of view. Climate limits the area of wheat production and soils, topography and economic factors determine the distribution within these limits.
The northern boundary of wheat cultivation in North America is the 90 days frost-free line, and the southern boundary is the 20 oC isotherm for the spring season. Within the broad belt, determined by temperature, wheat is grown in areas with minimum annual precipitation of 250 mm (10 inches) in the north and 375 mm (15 inches) in the south.
The wheat area of North America can be broadly grouped into the following regions according to the productivity and types of wheat:

Spring Wheat Belt

The spring wheat belt extends from the northern states of USA, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota to the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The regions comprising Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana, north and South Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota, have only one single spring crop of wheat, which can be grown from March-April to September-October. It is the single largest commercial wheat producing region. Its importance can be judged from the fact that it called the “Bread Basket” of the world.
It is a monotonous (dull) flat plain carved by the filling up of the old lake Agassiz. The soil is rich Chernozem, the best for wheat. The rainfall ranges between 375 to 510 mm, and fortunately it falls in spring and early summer when it is needed the most. The water derived from the melted snow also compensates for the low rainfall. As the winter is severe, spring wheat is grown. The growing season in northern parts is short, only 90 days. Long summer days are 15 to 18 hours and planting of varieties requiring a short growing season have greatly over come this handicap. Agriculture is highly mechanized. The area is well-served with transportation facilities for sending wheat outside. Spring wheat of red variety is most important but other crops are also grown. The Red Valley of Canada and Dakotas of USA are the most productive areas of this belt.

Hard Winter Wheat Belt

To the south of the spring wheat belt, there is a narrow belt in which there is no wheat cultivation as the summer is too hot for the spring wheat, and the winter is too cold for the winter wheat. Moving south of this belt, one enters into the Winter Wheat Belt which continue upto the northern part of Texas.
The hard winter wheat belt in Western Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska portion of the corn, and winter wheat climate region and extend well into the regions of temperate grassland climates. Its eastern limit is set by the Flint Hills and western limit by 375 mm (15 inches) annual isohyet. About 20% land is under plough.
Except that the wheat is a winter crop here, other agricultural conditions are similar to the spring wheat belt. Corn, barley, sorghum, oat and hay are also grown.

Soft Winter Wheat Belt

Soft winter wheat extends from the east of the Flint Hills and culminates at the Appalachian Mountains. To south lies Cotton Belt where wheat looses its importance owing to the high summer rainfall. This is not so rich as that of the spring wheat belt. Corn competes with wheat.
This wheat belt is found in northeastern US and extends into the eastern plains of Canada. Wheat is grown in almost all the states of this but its cultivation is mostly concentrated in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia to southward upto Georgia. Wheat grown there is of inferior quality. For good bread, hard wheat is required.

Columbia Plateau Wheat Region

Columbia plateau is an area with rainfall below 250 mm (10 inches), so it is well adopted to Dry Farming Methods. The water absorbs in the soils, for two to three consecutive years, is used in the subsequent year. The moderate temperature also compensates for the scanty rainfall. The greater advantage enjoyed by the region is the presence of wind blown fertile soils (loessial). The plateau was once covered with grass, so the soil is rich in humus. Heavy machinery is used and the railway carry the grain to Seattle or Portland on the western coast.
This area comprises Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Western Alberta and Columbia Plateau. Palouse Area is most important producer.

California Wheat Belt

Wheat is grown in almost all the northern regions of California but its cultivation is mostly concentrated in Sacramento river valley, deltas and low lying coastal areas of northwestern and southern California. White variety of wheat is popular in this belt.

Canadian Wheat Belt

The three Canadian Prairie Provinces; Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta account for the 3/4th of Canadian farmland and for most of the wheat production. This producing area represents the extension of the US spring wheat belt. Saskatchewan is by far Canada’s bread basket, accounting for 2/3rd of total wheat output; Alberta is the second. Canadian wheat production occurs in a more isolated setting than that of the USA or any other major exporting nation, such as France, Australia or Argentina.

South America

South America normally stands 4th among the world producers of wheat. Argentina is the largest producer of wheat in South America. Here are the world’s largest surplus wheat growing region. Situated between Pampas and Grand Chaco.
The wheat crescent of the Pampas (Argentina) accounts for over 50% of South American wheat. An annual rainfall 400 mm (16 inches) marks its western boundary while the eastern limit is set by heavy summer rainfall and swampy ground conditions. Within the wheat belt, rainfall ranges between 400-900 mm (16-36 inches), most of which falls in the growing period. Harvesting season is warm, sunny and dry. The loess-like soils of the region are very fertile, rich in humus and easily worked. The extensive use of farm machinery on the flat lands makes possible the production of cheap wheat, though the yield is low, 1176 lbs./acre. The area is covered with network of railways which lead to the ports of Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca, and Rosario (eastern Argentina). Most of the wheat lands are within 200 miles from the shipping ports.
The other notable regions in South America are south Brazil and central Chile. The cool wet winter and dry warm summer is ideally suited for wheat production. But the small areas of level land restrict the expansion of wheat cultivation.

Australia

Australia is the leading producer of wheat in Oceania. No country depends so much on wheat as Australia, where more than 2/3rd of the crop land is given to wheat. The average annual production of wheat in Australia is 14 million tons (1989 figure).
The main wheat region in Australia extends in a crescent form, from the back slopes of New South Wales, through the Murray-Darling Basin in southeastern Victoria to southeastern part of south Australia. A secondary center has been developed in Swanland, western Australia. This belt is 50-100 miles in land, and extends for about 450 miles from north to south and 30-120 miles from west to east.
The wheat belts are located in regions where the rainfall during growing season, October to April is 250-500 mm (10”-20”). Winter temperatures are not severe to cause moisture deficiency. The winter season is followed by a hot, dry summer, which helps quick ripening and an un-interrupted harvesting. Wheat lands have a rolling topography and productive soils, rich in potash and nitrogen. There is some deficiency of phosphate, which is made up artificially. Rolling topography and large size of wheat farms, some of them several thousand acres, permits the use of machinery. Low density of population makes their use a necessity. So the wheat farms are highly mechanized. On most farms, sheep are raised. The wheat lands are rotated with pasture.

Africa

Three regions are notable for wheat production in Africa:
The leading region of wheat production extends along the coastal plain of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Inland wheat acreage decreases with decreasing rainfall. Annual isohyet of 350 mm may be taken as the inland boundary of the wheat belt barley becomes important.
Egypt is the second important area of wheat production in Africa. The rainfall here becomes too low for crop production without irrigation. So irrigation is extensively practised. The main wheat area is in the delta, though some amount is also produced in upper and middle Egypt. Not only in area, but in wheat output also, Egypt ranked first in Africa. Its yield per hectare is comparatively low. After cotton, wheat is the most important crop grown in Egypt, which is sown in autumn and harvested in summer or spring.
Union of South Africa is the third region, which has been gaining importance since the last 2 decades. The wheat areas are located around the Cape and in the High Veldt. Rainfall is low and yields vary considerably from year to year. Some wheat is grown under irrigation. The agricultural practices are generally primitive but mechanization is in progress at a rapid pace.
Other areas of wheat production in Africa are Southwest Africa and Zimbabwe. Wheat is practically absent in tropical Africa. The least important states for wheat in Africa are those lying in tropical and sub-tropical climate in south of the equator.

TRADE

Wheat is one of the important grains in international trade. Over a 5th of the total world production of wheat enters world market. Most of the wheat is exported from the granaries of the temperate grasslands and imported by the industrialized countries of northwestern Europe, except France and densely populated countries of Asia.

Exports

The USA, Canada, Australia, France and Argentina are the major exporters. In these countries, except France, yield per acre is low but the yield per man is high on account of low density of population.
The USA has become the leading exporting country in the world after World War II. The USA export trade is backed largely by expanding technology and foreign trade program. India,. Japan, Brazil and Pakistan are important importers.
Canada is the 2nd largest exporter of wheat in world. Its home consumption is low. The inland location of wheat land is compensated-for by the low production cost and the preference given by Britain. Wheat moves to Lushun (Port Arthur) and Thunder Bay (Fort Williams) and thence to New York for shipment. Churchill on the Hudson Bay has diverted some wheat trade. Montreal has not gained importance. Vancouver is Prince Rupert, the wheat ports on the western coasts are not very important. China, Britain and West Germany are its best consumers. In years of low production, the former USSR also imports heavily from Canada.
As compared to Canada and the USA, Australia and Argentina, wheat trade has the advantage of the shorter haulage to the sea ports. Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Fremantle handle the wheat exports in Australia; and Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca and Rosario in Argentina. China has been the chief customer of Australian. Britain and Japan are the other major importers and the former USSR is an occasional importer of the Australian and Argentinean wheat.
Former USSR and France have emerged as the important exporters of wheat since 1951. The USSR largely exports to East Germany. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Cuba and Brazil. In years of bad crops, the USSR also imports heavily. The chief markets of French wheat are West Germany and Switzerland.

Imports

North Europe and some Asian countries are the chief importers of wheat. The densely populated, and highly industrialized and urbanized European countries are unable to produce enough wheat. Since World War I, nationalism and drive for self-sufficiency has considerably increased wheat production in this part of the world, particularly in France, Germany, UK and Italy. So much so that France is an exporter now.
China is the leading importer of wheat. India, Japan and Pakistan are the other importers of wheat in Asia. West Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, East Germany, former Yugoslavia are important importers in Europe. Brazil is the chief importer in South America.


Pakistan Imports of Wheat


Year-------Import(000 tons)---Year-----Import (000 tons)
1970-71-------285.00-------1985-86-------1909.00
1971-72-------690.00-------1986-87-------378.00
1972-73-------1359.00------1987-88-------601.00
1973-74-------1229.00------1988-89-------2171.00
1974-75-------1344.00------1989-90-------2047.00
1975-76-------1186.00------1990-91-------972.00
1976-77-------499.00-------1991-92-------2018.00
1977-79-------2236.00------1992-93-------2868.00
1979-80-------602.00-------1993-94-------1237.00
1980-81-------305.00-------1994-95-------2248.00
1981-82-------360.00-------1995-96-------1505.00
1982-83-------396.00-------1996-97-------2400.00
1983-84-------291.00-------1997-98-------4000.00
1984-85-------980.00-------1998-99-------5500.00 (Exp.)

TYPES OF WHEAT

Wheat has been classified into five kinds known as:
Drum Wheat; White Wheat; Hard Red Spring Wheat; Hard Red Winter Wheat; and Soft Red Winter Wheat.
Generally, winter wheat is known to be soft, and spring wheat is hard. Spring wheat is sown in the spring season and harvested in the months of July, August. It is rich in Gluten, which develops the body. Bread flour of the wheat is very nice. It is chiefly grown in the areas of extreme winter.
Drum wheat is very hard and is grown in the regions of small rainfall. Now it is becoming very popular due to its very high yield. It is largely used for making Macaroni because it is highly rich in gluten.
Winter wheat is rich in starch. It is highly used for pastry flour. It is a harvested in the months of June and July.
Color and quality of wheat differ from country to country. White wheat is found in Australia, red type is hard and found in American warm and dry lands; Mediterranean and Monsoon lands.


DIFFERENT SEASONS

Under varying climatic conditions that the different countries enjoy, wheat is harvested at different times in different countries. Wheat is harvested throughout the year. It has been very nicely said that we have a perpetual wheat calendar.
1. India and Egypt – February to March
2. Japan, China, Iran, Mexico and Pakistan – April to May
3. Mediterranean Europe – June to July
4. Poland , USA and Canada – September to October
5. Sweden and Norway – September to October
6. Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa – November, December and January