October 2001
Durum wheat production for 2001/02 in selected
countries is forecast at 22.2 million tons, down 4.2 million or
15 percent from last year and the lowest since 1993/94 when
production was 21.3 million tons. Harvest area is forecast at
14.8 million hectares down 0.9 million or 6 percent from last
season while yields dropped 11 percent to 1.5 tons per hectare.
The downturns in production were all weather related as drought
hit the western prairies of Canada and dipped southward into the
United States. The European Union (EU), Canada, and the United
States accounted for the total drop in production falling 4.9
million tons. The largest drop occurred in Canada of more than
2.1 million tons, lowering output to 3.1 million tons for
2001/02. Durum output in the United States dropped 0.7 million to
2.3 million tons for 2001/02. The EU's production fell 2.1
million to 6.9 million tons as unfavorable weather reduced
yields. Slight output gains were made in minor producing
countries of North Africa and Middle Eastern countries.