Durum Prices Regain Ground as Smaller US Harvest Tightens Supplies
The US durum market is tightening due to a smaller harvest, causing prices to regain ground relative to hard red spring wheat. The USDA estimated the 2026 durum crop at 66 million bushels, down 23% from 86 million bushels in 2025.
Total 2026-27 durum supplies were projected at 145 million bushels, down 17 million bushels from 162 million bushels in 2025-26. The June 1, 2027, carryover of durum was forecast at 26 million bushels, unchanged from August but down from 33 million bushels this year.
Jim Peterson, administrator and executive director of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, said the USDA supply and demand estimates appeared mostly realistic but potentially optimistic on supplies. He noted that domestic use could exceed the USDA's projection after durum's earlier discount to hard red spring wheat encouraged some users to switch back to durum.
Crop quality increasingly became an issue as harvest advanced, with US Wheat Associates saying growing-season dryness followed by rain around harvest lowered the grade of some durum. Test weight averaged 60.3 pounds per bushel, down from 61.7 pounds in 2025, while hard vitreous amber kernels averaged 78%, compared with 84% in 2025.