Durum trade options expand

Glencore Agriculture wheat and durum trader Tom Smibert predicted Canada, Europe and North America would have decreased durum production this year because of adverse weather conditions.

"Global supply of durum will tighten," he said.

"Italy is the world's second-largest producer of durum, behind Canada, and despite a push in recent years to decrease imports and increase self-sufficiency, Italy is increasing its preference for importing Australian durum.

"Australia is a relatively small producer of durum wheat but it has a reputation for superior quality because of its low moisture, high flour yield and high protein."

But Mr Smibert said despite demand for Australian durum being strong, the level of opportunity was dictated by how much durum Australian growers could supply to the export market.

"Last year's lower production levels saw most Australian durum used by local end users, limiting the volume available for export," he said.

"We have multiple end users who are looking to source more Australian durum."

Mr Smibert said there were continued requests for more Australian nil or low glyphosate durum.

"This suggests our premium product will be in high demand and Australia is well-placed to meet this demand," he said.

Tarlee graingrower Mark Hill crops about 1200 hectares and grows 200ha to 250ha of durum each year, because in past seasons he had received $80 a tonne to $100/t more than bread wheat.

"Growing durum is beneficial for me because of cash flow," he said.

"We have reasonably good soil and reliable rainfall, so most seasons we are matching wheat yields with durum crops."

But Mr Hill said growing durum to meet increased overseas demand was not "simple".

"It has to go onto very clean and fertile paddocks or it will not be a high-yielding crop," he said.

But Mr Hill also said gaining a higher return for durum was crucial for growers to continue growing the crop.

"For the last two seasons, durum export prices have been about $20/t to $30/t higher than the domestic market," he said.

Mr Hill's durum is largely contracted to San Remo, with the remaining tonnages exported through Glencore Agriculture.

But Mr Hill had committed to supplying for San Remo mostly because of its sliding grain quality scale.

"To gain the top return for export durum it has to be Australian Durum 1, which requires 13 per cent or more protein or it's downgraded," he said.

"It is not easy to reach that each season.

"If durum is downgraded at San Remo because of lower protein there is not much of a penalty, but the export market penalises by up to $50/t.

"The cliff face if you do not achieve ADR1 for export is severe, so if a sliding scale for export grain quality was introduced, some growers would possibly supply more durum to the export market."

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SA Durum Growers Association chairman Simon Mildren, Mundoora, said a fair percentage of SA growers supplied San Remo with durum, but the competition between export and domestic markets had increased.

"Interest from growers to export is still prominent, but the biggest driver for growers is price," he said.

"But because the export price is mostly driven by overseas crop production, it is not always a higher price than the domestic market."

Mr Mildren said the number of SA growers producing durum was stable.

"A lack of rainfall is probably one of the biggest barriers for growers to increase production because its a sensitive crop," he said.

"It costs more to grow than other crops, too."

He also said SA growers could directly benefit from increased Italian interest for glyphosate-free durum.

"That market should always be there too because of Australia's approach of not using glyphosate on crops," he said.

"But I would say there will be a large interest in the domestic market this season because of low eastern state production levels."

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