U.S. Durum Wheat Availability and Quality Situation Neal Fisher, Administrator N.D. Wheat Commission 4023 State Street Bismarck, N.D, Phone: Fax: website: October 24, 2005

WORLD DURUM PRODUCTION Million Tons

WORLD DURUM PRODUCTION-MAP (Million Metric Tons) Source: USDA & International Grains Council 10/12/05 NF51.xls

Durum Stocks In Major Exporting Countries - U.S., Canada, European Union

World Durum Exports *Others includes Turkey, Syria, Mexico & Australia

U.S. DURUM PLANTINGS & PRODUCTION Hectares/Tons

U.S. DURUM PRODUCTION

U.S. DURUM DOMESTIC USE

U.S. DURUM EXPORTS

U.S. DURUM STOCKS

EXPORT PACE FOR U.S. DURUM Marketing Year as of October 6, 2005

TOP IMPORTERS OF U.S. DURUM IN MARKETING YEAR

PRICE TRENDS AT THE LAKES

 Montana  North Dakota Source: North Dakota State University Hard Red Spring wheat Quality Lab Durum wheat Quality Lab Plant Sciences Department U.S. NORTHERN DURUM 2005 Quality Based on approximately 290 durum samples collected during harvest. Samples are random and represent individual fields.

Durum: 2005 Overview  Planting  Rapid planting pace  60% seeded by May 15  Growing season  Excellent growing conditions  Above average moisture, limited disease issues  Some areas in the south and west suffered from heat during kernel development  Harvest  Rapid harvest - double 2004 pace  Some rain delays in areas, but generally near ideal harvest  Overall  Crop average #1 HAD with high falling number  Well above average yields but lower protein content  Improved semolina yield and pasta color

DURUM: Test Weight

DURUM: Thousand Kernel Weight 2005 regional thousand kernel weight is 35.5 grams.

U.S. & CANADIAN DURUM PROTEIN LEVELS

DURUM: Protein Distribution

DURUM: Dockage Content 2005 regional average dockage content is 1.5 percent.

DURUM: Falling Number 2005 regional average falling number is 378 seconds.

DURUM: Total Defects 2005 regional average total defects is 2.2 percent.

DURUM: Vitreous Kernel Content

DURUM: 2005 Vitreous Kernels by Crop Area 94% 84% 73% 76% Montana A-B 95%

DURUM: Quantity Estimate by Grade 71% grades 2HAD or better.

DURUM WHEAT Milling and Pasta Processing Characteristics Source: Department of Cereal Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo

DURUM: Semolina Extraction

DURUM: Semolina Mixing Strength Reference Mixograms

DURUM: Pasta Color Score

DURUM: Pasta Cooked Firmness

 California  Arizona U.S. DESERT DURUM Desert Durum® - A trademark of Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council and the California Wheat Commission.  Applies only to durum produced in AZ and CA.  Planted in December-February and harvested in May and June.  Typically sold on variety or identity preserved basis.  Large share of production is contracted prior to planting.  Low moisture, uniform large kernels and very strong gluten are features of the crop. Additional information is available on the California Wheat Commission website

 2005 acres were sharply lower due to untimely rains at planting  Growing season was generally cool  2006 plantings still uncertain - due to lower prices and higher input costs DESERT DURUM 4-YR Production Trend Source: California Wheat Commission and USW

DESERT DURUM Wheat Protein Content (12% Moisture Basis)

DESERT DURUM Test Weight

DESERT DURUM Semolina Extraction

DESERT DURUM Pasta Color Score

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