Canada Western Amber Durum continues to meet the high standards demanded by the pasta and milling industries
The 2024 Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat crop has proven to be of generally good quality, despite the challenges posed by dry and hot conditions during the grain filling and ripening stages in major durum growing regions says Statistics Canada.
With more than 70% of the crop falling into the top two grades, CWAD, though test weight was the main downgrading factor this year.
The crop's mean protein content reached 15.3%, slightly higher than in 2023 and notably above the ten-year average of 14.3%. The durum wheat crop also demonstrated strong safety and quality, with more than 99% of samples having Deoxynivalenol (DON) levels below 1.0 ppm, and 96% of samples exhibiting Falling Number (FN) values greater than 350 seconds. This demonstrates the crop’s overall soundness despite adverse weather conditions.
Grade Distribution and Key Metrics
- Grade Distribution: 72.6% of the crop was graded No. 1 or No. 2 CWAD.
- Protein Content: The average protein content was 15.3%, reflecting a high-protein crop.
- Deoxynivalenol (DON): 99.3% of CWAD samples had DON levels less than 1.0 ppm, indicating safe grain.
- Falling Number (FN): 96.2% of samples had FN values exceeding 350 seconds, highlighting excellent milling quality.
Variety Trends
Transcend remained the top CWAD variety grown in 2024, although its acreage has gradually declined in favor of newer varieties. Varieties such as CDC Defy, AAC Stronghold, and AAC Grainland have seen a notable increase in acreage over the past few years, reflecting evolving grower preferences and the performance of these newer options.
Milling and Functional Quality
The 2024 CWAD crop exhibited excellent milling qualities, with very high protein levels and yellow pigment content, essential for high-quality pasta products. The hard vitreous kernel (HVK) content was exceptional for all grades, with No. 1 CWAD maintaining an impressive 92% HVK. However, due to the smaller kernel size resulting from the dry conditions in the growing season, both milling yield and semolina yield were lower compared to 2023 across all grades.
The wheat's test weight for No. 1 CWAD remained consistent with 2023, while No. 2 CWAD saw a slight decline in weight per thousand kernels. No. 4 CWAD experienced both a decrease in test weight and weight per thousand kernels. Despite these challenges, all aggregate wheat samples maintained FN values greater than 400 seconds, reflecting strong milling potential.
Semolina and Pasta Quality
The semolina yield was slightly lower than in 2023 for all grades, primarily due to the smaller kernels. However, the semolina produced from the 2024 CWAD crop was very clean, with low speck count and large granulation. The ash content of the semolina was slightly higher than last year, but it still met high-quality standards.
Pasta produced from 2024 CWAD semolina exhibited the characteristic bright yellow color that is highly sought after in the industry. The pasta also displayed high firmness and superior cooking quality, confirming the high gluten strength and processing potential of this year’s durum wheat.
Outlook for CWAD Industry
The 2024 CWAD crop reinforces Canada’s standing as a leading producer of durum wheat, despite the challenges posed by hot and dry weather conditions during key growth stages. The strong protein content, excellent milling quality, and superior pasta processing performance make this year’s CWAD crop a valuable asset to the global market.
As the demand for high-quality durum wheat continues to rise, particularly for pasta production, Canada’s CWAD varieties remain integral to the global supply chain, with improvements in newer varieties ensuring a continued role for Canadian durum wheat in the food industry.