Arizona’s Desert Durum

Arizona Agriculture’s High Quality Durum Wheat has Global Celebrity Status

Arizona celebrates the revival of our heritage wheat varieties, but did you know that Arizona grows prized Desert Durum wheat for its gluten strength, something we've been doing for decades. And, the international markets love our Arizona wheat.

The state has been a major supplier of wheat for Italian pasta makers since the 1980s, often considered one of Arizona's grain industry's biggest success stories but also our biggest secret. In 2015, there were as many as 150,000 acres grown with a production of 15 million bushels, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistical Services. However, last year's crop was only 90,000 acres.

Grown in Arizona and California's Imperial Valley, Desert Durum is highly prized for its gluten strength and yellow color.

Wheat, certainly Desert Durum, has quite an impact on Arizona's economy. According to the USDA, Arizona wheat brings in anywhere from $50 million to $60 million to the state. According to Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council, the Desert Durum crop from Arizona and southern California averages an annual export rate of about 50%. In 2013, according to USDA Marketing reports, the export percentage was 46. In 2014, it was 52% and in 2015, it was 55%.

The certification mark issued by the U.S. Patent and Trade office for the Desert Durum variety must be grown under irrigation in the low deserts of Arizona and California and must be comprised of at least 90% of a lot to be classified with the Desert Durum label. One reason is that the low desert allows growers to produce year after year, field after field, a consistent quality product, unlike, for example North Dakota, that is often hindered due to weather challenges for producing a consistent quality wheat.

Users of the Desert Durum term must obtain permission to do so from the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council and the California Wheat Commission.

Durum wheat is considered the hardest wheat, making it ideal for milling into semolina to make pasta shapes. And Arizona Desert Durum also has the lowest moisture content at 7% compared to other durum wheat from other parts of the country. The lower moisture content and large uniform kernels yield higher semolina extraction rates than durums from other regions results in shipping less water.

Although Italy is the top importer of Desert Durum, the wheat is also exported to countries including Spain, Morocco and Nigeria. Some of the wheat does stay local, going to the TreeHouse Foods' (formerly American Italian Pasta Company) plant in Tolleson, Arizona.

Wheat other than Durum that Arizona grows is estimated in the 7,000-acre range with production of 600,000 to 700,000 bushels.

Fun Facts about Arizona's Desert Durum ®

Arizona grows world-renowned wheat, Desert Durum ®! Because of its consistent quality, our Desert Durum® keeps global markets coming back for more. Here's why:

1. The phrase "Desert Durum®" has been trademarked with the U.S. Patent Office under the ownership of the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council and the California Wheat Commission.
2. As a result, only Desert Durum® grown in Arizona and California qualifies for the Desert Durum® trademark.
3. The special wheat is produced under irrigation in the desert valleys and lowlands of Arizona and California.
4. These are regions of high temperatures (May-June temperatures average 32C) and low rainfall (annual precipitation averages less than 200 mm).
5. Desert Durum® wheat is planted November through February and harvested in May and June.
6. Desert Durum® enters the market up to three months ahead of the spring durum crops harvested in other North America durum-producing areas.
7. Desert Durum® is delivered "Identity Preserved" to U.S. domestic and export markets, a system that allows buyers to purchase grain of varieties having intrinsic quality parameters specific to their needs.
8. Annual production requirements can be contracted ahead to experienced growers using certified seed and then "identity" stored for season-long shipment at the buyers' schedule.
9. Desert Durum® averages an annual export rate of 50%, especially exported to Italy to make pasta.
10. A local brewer, Arizona Distilling Company, produces Arizona's first ever grain-to-bottle whiskey. Made with Desert Durum® wheat, it maintains a unique balance of sweet and spicy, where molasses, pecan pie, caramel and black mission figs tame the noticeable bite of peppercorn, allspice and cinnamon, says the Arizona Distilling Company website.
11. Desert Durum® is highly regarded for its protein strength allowing a variety of different pasta shapes!

Ultimately, we, here in Arizona and California, believe our Desert Durum® holds celebrity status on the world market, certainly with Italy. This, the country, that knows pasta!

Our ideal climate for creating a quality wheat means a bright future for Arizona and California agriculture, certainly with grains.

#DesertDurum

Arizona's Wheat Has Celebrity Status!

Podcast

When you enjoy pasta, there's an excellent chance its made with Arizona grown Desert Durum Wheat! Arizona Farm Bureau's Julie Murphree is joined by Eric Wilkey, President of Arizona Grain, Inc. Eric explains how and where its grown from seed to harvest. How this patented grain is used and exported to make the best pastas in the world. And the sustainability of growing this unique wheat in a category all its own.

Article Written By: Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau Outreach Director | Article 1, Article 2

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