Durum wheat: Australia's role in world markets

• Growers of high quality durum wheat in Australia have received prices over A$60 a tonne higher than for Australian premium white wheat in recent years. However, durum is a riskier crop for growers than milling wheat varieties, being more susceptible to drought and requiring lengthier rotations between crops. • Australian production of durum wheat averages under 2 per cent of world production, and around 5 per cent of world exports. About half of Australia's durum wheat production is exported, mostly to Italy from ports in New South Wales and South Australia. • Australian durum wheat exported to Italy is used to make pasta. Italy is the world's largest exporter of pasta, with Italian exports to the rest of Europe growing strongly in recent years. Prospects for Australia's exports of durum wheat to Italy are positive, with a growing market for Italian pasta and a likelihood that changes to EU support policies will reduce Italian durum wheat production. © Commonwealth of Australia 2004.