Food production in many African countnes has in recent years not expanded fast enough to keep up with population growth. Dimimshmgself-sufficiency and food security and the consequent increase in food imports of many African countnes are causing great concern. Amongst all food items, wheat stands out as the one commodity whose influence in consumption seems to be growing rapidly This paper highlights the results of a detailed study investigating the underlying causes of past trends, estimating the ecological and econom1cally viable potential of ram fed wheat production m Africa, and outlining some aspects and possible consequences of different levels of international wheat prices and food aid on the agricultural sector as well as the nutritional level of African countries.