WASHINGTON – Output of straight semolina and durum flour by U.S. mills in April-June 2009 gained 4.5% from a year ago, which was in contrast to a decrease in overall wheat flour production. Production totaled 7,981,000 cwts, against 7,636,000 in the same 2008 quarter, according to the Census Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The recent quarterly low in durum semolina output was 6,339,000 in the same quarter of 2004, while the high was 8,696,000 in January-March 200.

Production for April-June, at 7,981,000 cwts, also was up 1.2% over 7,885,000 cwts in the same 2007 quarter and 3.5% above 7,713,000 in 2006. It was up 10% from 7,255,000 in April-June 2005 and gained 25.9% from 6,339,000 in April-June 2004, the recent low.

Beginning with the first quarter of 2000, these data include output not just by conventional durum mills but also mills operated adjacent to pasta manufacturing plants. As a result, data beginning in 2000 are not comparable with prior years. Including the earlier data, which are not comparable, the record high quarterly semolina output occurred in January-March 1994, when output was 8,770,000 cwts, followed by October-December 1993 at 8,709,000 and January-March 2000 at 8,696,000, when the new definition became effective.

April-June output was down 2.6% from 8,192,000 cwts in the first quarter of 2009.

The North American Millers’ Association provides funding to the Census Bureau in support of the compilation of these statistics.

Durum wheat grind in April-June 2009 amounted to 17,698,000 bus, up 5.5% from 16,771,000 in April-June 2008. It was off 2.6% from 18,178,000 in April-June 2007 and down 0.9% from 17,850,000 in the second quarter of 2006. The peak quarterly durum grind was in January-March 2001, at 19,416,000 bus, followed by January-March 1994 at 19,397,000.

Durum grind decreased 1.6% from 17,985,000 bus in January-March 2009.

Based on these data, the semolina extraction rate in April-June was 75.2%, off from 75.9% in January-March and in the second quarter of 2008. The recent lows were July-September 1991 when it was 70.8% and April-June 1991 at 70.6%.

Straight semolina and durum flour production in the first six months of 2009 aggregated 16,173,000 cwts, an increase of 4.4% from 15,495,000 in the first half of 2008. This year’s first half was off 0.1% from 16,184,000 in 2007, but up 2.5% from 15,785,000 in 2006.

Grind of durum wheat in the first two quarters totaled 35,683,000 bus, up 3.9% from 34,360,000 in the first half of 2008. The current half was down 3.8% from 37,099,000 in the first half of 2007.

Based on these data, the semolina extraction rate in April-June was 75.2%, off from 75.9% in January-March and in the second quarter of 2008. The recent lows were July-September 1991 when it was 70.8% and April-June 1991 at 70.6%.

Straight semolina and durum flour production in the first six months of 2009 aggregated 16,173,000 cwts, an increase of 4.4% from 15,495,000 in the first half of 2008. This year’s first half was off 0.1% from 16,184,000 in 2007, but up 2.5% from 15,785,000 in 2006.

Grind of durum wheat in the first two quarters totaled 35,683,000 bus, up 3.9% from 34,360,000 in the first half of 2008. The current half was down 3.8% from 37,099,000 in the first half of 2007.

Based on these data, semolina extraction in January-June was 75.5%, up from 75.2% in the prior year.