Top Buyers of U.S. Spring and Durum Wheat

Japan held strong as the leader of the top 10 export markets for U.S. hard red spring wheat for the eleventh consecutive year, marking a new record purchase at 61.5 million bushels, according to the North Dakota Wheat Commission. Japan was also the top importer of U.S. wheat overall. Italy returned as the largest export destination for U.S. durum with almost 10 million bushels in purchases, after Algeria bumped it from its five-year run at the top in 2004.

Buyers in over 46 countries imported U.S. hard red spring wheat during the 2006-07 marketing year while durum was exported to about 14 countries. 

The NDWC reports that exports of U.S. hard red spring wheat finished the 2006-07 marketing year at 249 million bushels, according to USDA statistics.  While exports were down nine percent from last year’s strong levels -- last year finished as the third best export year in a decade -- they were still equal to the ten-year average. The marketing year runs from June 1 to May 31.

“Increased competition from Canada was evident in some markets, but the strong quality of the 2006 crop helped drive sales to our key customers in traditional markets,” noted NDWC marketing director Jim Peterson. “It was especially positive to see the record sales to Japan, during a year with larger and generally higher grading Canadian supplies.”  Peterson says the high protein content and inherent functional qualities of U.S hard red spring wheat “are features customers valued even despite comparatively higher prices during the past year.”