Saskatchewan agri-food exports hit another high in 2022, posting a third consecutive record. Total value was $18.4 billion, with canola oil, non-durum wheat, canola seed, lentils, durum and dry peas leading the way. The top buyers were the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and Algeria. Exports in 2021 were worth $17.5 billion. The province has […] Read more
Durum wheat
Food inflation sees increasing consumer demand for pasta
Grocery buyers seeking an affordable way to feed their families are looking toward pasta as an “inflation-proof” meal idea, says a durum wheat merchandiser with pasta maker Barilla. “The high inflation rate is actually causing greater demand for pasta,” said Greg Viers, Barilla’s durum wheat and semolina purchasing manager for the United States and Canada. […] Read more
Durum has potential to make gains
Analyst thinks prices have peaked this year, but there are plenty of reasons not to lock in too much of the upcoming crop
Canadian durum prices have likely already peaked for the 2022-23 marketing year but there are plenty of factors that could drive durum markets higher in 2023-24, says a market analyst. Locking in a portion of the 2023 harvest might not be a bad option for some Canadian producers, added Marlene Boersch, owner of Mercantile Consulting […] Read more
Tighter restrictions threaten strong durum sales to Europe
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Durum wheat produced in Western Canada continues to have a solid reputation among semolina millers, pasta makers and consumers in Europe. But maintaining that reputation will take additional care and vigilance as Europe moves toward tighter food safety regulations related to vomitoxin levels and pesticide residues, said an industry leader from […] Read more
Tight supplies support durum
Global shortages not likely severe enough to send prices soaring, but markets are still favourable
Durum growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta will probably benefit from relatively strong market conditions in the months ahead, says a market analyst. On-farm inventories across the West are still relatively tight and producers in other major durum-producing countries such as the United States and Morocco are also facing drought-related production challenges, said Chuck Penner, market […] Read more
Durum market adjusts from last year’s Canadian drought
Countries in North Africa, major customers for durum wheat, are experiencing a dry start to their growing season. Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia together are usually in the top ranks of buyers of Canadian durum wheat, used to make the staple dish of couscous. Farmers in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia this month are wrapping up seeding […] Read more
Better varieties lower cadmium in durum: CGC
Canadian Grain Commission says the low cadmium durum breeding program launched in the early 1990s has paid off
Cadmium concentrations in Canada’s durum wheat exports have decreased significantly over the past three decades, thanks to the adoption of new low-cadmium durum varieties, says a new research paper co-authored by a scientist at the Canadian Grain Commission. Cadmium is a naturally occurring heavy metal that exists in Western Canadian soils. It can have a […] Read more
Prairie crop yield tours hard to find this summer
Results from one tour estimate spring wheat yields above the five-year average and canola yields slightly below average
There were precious few western Canadian crop tours this year outside of one conducted by Argus Media. “I’m not aware of any other remotely public ones,” said Neil Townsend, chief market analyst with FarmLink Marketing Solutions. He believes this is one of the lingering hangover effects of COVID-19. “The pandemic sort of stalled out crop […] Read more
Canada farmers planted more wheat, less canola
July 5 (Reuters) – Canadian farmers planted more acres of wheat, corn, lentils, and oats compared to 2021 levels, while planting less canola, barley, soybeans and dry peas, according to a Statistics Canada survey released on Tuesday. The survey, conducted between May 13 to June 12, found that the seeding decisions were influenced by ongoing […] Read more
Drought slashes EU durum production
The extent of the damage in the European Union is not yet known because harvest is just getting underway
The durum crop in the European Union is in trouble, says an analyst from that region. The European Commission is forecasting 7.6 million tonnes of production, down two percent from last year and five percent below the five-year average. But industry groups think it could be a lot worse. Coldiretti, an Italian farm organization, is […] Read more
