China raises most sheep but Australia controls the global lamb trade

China has the world's biggest sheep flock, yet Australia exports the most sheepmeat globally. The reason is simple: China's enormous population eats almost everything it grows domestically, leaving little for export.

Australia's strength lies not in production but in surplus. Russia grows less wheat than China but exports far more.

That is because China keeps its crop for home consumption. When Russian exports are disrupted by weather or political events, international buyers feel the impact immediately.

Brazil is the rare exception. It produces huge volumes and exports huge volumes too, giving it outsized influence over global food markets.

Australia follows a similar path to Russia. It is not the world's biggest producer of any commodity shown, but it is the largest exporter of barley, sheepmeat and wool.