U.S. Durum Wheat Availability and

Quality Situation

Neal Fisher, AdministratorN.D. Wheat Commission

4023 State StreetBismarck, N.D, 58503-0690

Phone: 701.328.5111Fax: 701.328.5115

email: ndwheat@ndwheat.comwebsite: www.ndwheat.com

October 24, 2005

WORLD DURUM PRODUCTION Million Tons

WORLD DURUM PRODUCTION-MAP(Million Metric Tons)

Source: USDA & International Grains Council10/12/05 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 2004-05 Marketing Year as of October 6, 2005

TOP IMPORTERS OF U.S. DURUM IN MARKETING YEAR 2004-05

PRICE TRENDS AT THE LAKES

MontanaNorth Dakota

Source: North Dakota State University Hard Red Spring wheat Quality Lab

Durum wheat Quality LabPlant Sciences Department

U.S. NORTHERN DURUM2005 Quality

Based on approximately 290 durum samples collected during harvest. Samples are random and represent individual fields.

Durum: 2005 OverviewPlanting

Rapid planting pace60% seeded by May 15

Growing season Excellent growing conditionsAbove average moisture, limited disease issuesSome areas in the south and west suffered from heat during kernel

development

HarvestRapid harvest - double 2004 paceSome rain delays in areas, but generally near ideal harvest

OverallCrop average #1 HAD with high falling numberWell 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. & CANADIANDURUM PROTEIN LEVELS

DURUM: Protein Distribution

DURUM: Dockage Content2005 regional average dockage content is 1.5 percent.

DURUM: Falling Number2005 regional average falling number is 378 seconds.

DURUM: Total Defects2005 regional average total defects is 2.2 percent.

DURUM: Vitreous Kernel Content

DURUM: 2005 Vitreous Kernelsby Crop Area

94% 94% 84%

73%76%

Montana A-B95%

DURUM: Quantity Estimate by Grade

71% grades 2HAD or better.

DURUM WHEATMilling and Pasta

Processing Characteristics

Source: Department of Cereal Science,North Dakota State University, Fargo

DURUM: Semolina Extraction

DURUM: SemolinaMixing Strength

Reference Mixograms

DURUM: Pasta Color Score

DURUM: Pasta Cooked Firmness

CaliforniaArizona

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 www.californiawheat.org

2005 acres were sharply lower due to untimely rains at planting

Growing season was generally cool2006 plantings still uncertain - due to lower prices and

higher input costs

DESERT DURUM4-YR Production Trend

Source: California Wheat Commission and USW

DESERT DURUMWheat Protein Content

(12% Moisture Basis)

DESERT DURUMTest Weight

DESERT DURUMSemolina Extraction

DESERT DURUMPasta Color Score

THANK YOU