The hardest of all U.S. wheat classes, U.S. durum has a rich amber color and high gluten content. Hard Amber Durum (HAD) set the “gold standard” for premium pasta products, couscous and some Mediterranean breads. Durum has a high protein content of 12.0% to 15.0% (12% mb), yellow endosperm and white bran.
For the miller, durum is a large, very hard kernel with the potential for very high extraction of high quality, low ash semolina that is ideal for fine pasta. Desert Durum® is harvested and shipped at a very low moisture content, an advantage to millers that contributes to efficient transportation costs and high extraction rates.
For consumers of pasta, couscous and Mediterranean breads, durum helps deliver excellent color and texture.
Where is U.S. durum grown?
Durum is the fifth largest class of wheat grown in the United States. Northern durum is grown primarily in the North Central region (North Dakota and Montana) and shipped via Gulf, Great Lakes and Pacific ports, while Desert Durum®, is grown primarily under contract in the desert Southwest (Arizona and California) and shipped via the Gulf or West Coast.
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2021 U.S. Durum Production
According to USDA’s Small Grains Annual Summary released September 30, 2021, production of the 2021 U.S. durum crop is estimated to be 1.0 million metric tons (MMT), down 46% from 1.9 MMT in 2020 and below the 5-year average of 1.6 MMT.
- 2021 (MMT)
- Total durum production in states sampled
- Northern Durum subtotal
- Desert Durum® subtotal
- Total U.S. Durum Production
- 2021 (MMT)
- 1.0
- 0.8
- 0.2
- 1.0
- 2020 (MMT)
- 1.9
- 1.7
- 0.2
- 1.9
- 5-Year Average (MMT)
- 1.6
- 1.4
- 0.2
- 1.6
*States sampled: Arizona, California, Montana and North Dakota. Numbers may not match exactly due to rounding.
2021 U.S. Durum Crop Quality Data Highlights
Buyers will find the 2021 durum crop to be of high quality, especially for grading and kernel characteristics. Although lower than previous years, test weights are stronger than expected, and damage is low. There is no shortage of protein in this year’s crop and falling number values indicate a sound crop. Lower 1000 kernel weights and a reduction in the percentage of large sized kernels will likely reduce milling yields. Dough properties look to be strong as well as cooked pasta characteristics.
U.S. NORTHERN DURUM AVERAGE DATA HIGHIGHTS
The table below provides highlights of the 2021 Desert Durum® crop. For full quality results, please see the U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report to be released late October 2021.
- 2021 Average
- Test Weight (lb/bu)
- Test Weight (kg/hl)
- Vitreous Kernels (%)
- Moisture (%)
- Wheat Protein (%) 12% mb
- Wheat Protein (%) 0% mb
- Wheat Falling Number (sec)
- DON (ppm)
- 2021 Average
- 60.5
- 78.8
- 86
- 10.9
- 15.5
- 17.6
- 428
<0.5
- 2020 Average
- 62.2
- 80.9
- 88
- 10.7
- 13.4
- 15.3
- 419
<0.5
- 5-Year Average
- 61.2
- 79.7
- 84
- 11.4
- 13.9
- 15.8
- 398
<0.5
U.S. DESERT DURUM® AVERAGE DATA HIGHIGHTS
The table below provides highlights of the Desert Durum® crop and will be updated to include 2021 data in October. For full quality results, please see the U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report to be released late October 2021.
- 2021 Average
- Test Weight (lb/bu)
- Test Weight (kg/hl)
- Vitreous Kernels (%)
- Moisture (%)
- Wheat Protein (%) 12% mb
- Wheat Protein (%) 0% mb
- Wheat Falling Number (sec)
- 2021 Average
- 63.9
- 83.2
- 99
- 7.5
- 13.9
- 15.8
- 503
- 2020 Average
- 62.3
- 81.1
- 99
- 6.9
- 14.5
- 16.5
- 790
- 5-Year Average
- 62.6
- 81.7
- 98
- 6.7
- 13.8
- 15.7
- 687
