Representatives from 13 countries attended the International Durum Wheat Program at Cigi (Canadian International Grains Institute) in Winnipeg last month. The program, which ran to August 29, included lectures, technical sessions, field visits, and commercial processing demonstrations on Canadian durum wheat.
The 17 international participants represented trading organizations, mills, and processing companies from Belgium, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Italy, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Singapore, 麻豆传媒AV Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates.
Topics included breeding, production, grading, handling, transportation, marketing, milling and enduse processing, said a release from Cigi. The technical sessions took place in Cigi鈥檚 analytical services, milling, baking, and pasta technology areas. Participants also had an opportunity to meet with Canadian industry representatives.
鈥淭his program was designed to help maintain Canada鈥檚 competitive position as the world鈥檚 largest exporter of durum wheat, covering more than 50 per cent of the global market share,鈥� said Dave Burrows, Cigi鈥檚 chief operating officer. 鈥淚t offers us an opportunity to interact with customers of Canadian durum to ensure we continue to meet their quality requirements and to investigate potentially new enduse opportunities. It also helps our customers learn more about the Canadian industry firsthand.鈥�
Canada exported nearly five million tonnes of Canada Western Amber Durum wheat in 201314, an amount that has steadily increased annually in the last few years. Key importers include Italy and North Africa that use quality durum primarily for pasta and couscous, respectively.
Burrows points out that CWAD provides the processing characteristics that the customers need to consistently achieve the quality they require in their enduse products.
In addition to the sessions at Cigi, the participants visited durum plots at Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, an inland terminal elevator, and a grain farm near Swift Current. The group then travelled to Vancouver, B.C. where they toured a terminal elevator, the Canadian Grain Commission, and the Port of Vancouver.
鈥淭his was the 16th time we have offered the international durum program since it started 20 years ago,鈥� says Burrows. 鈥淚t is a good example of how Cigi works with industry to support the entire value chain.鈥�
Cigi is an independent not-for-profit market development institute created in 1972. More than 42,000 people representing grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops industries from 115 countries have participated in Cigi programs and seminars. Cigi鈥檚 mission is to increase utilization of Canadian grain and field crops through superior knowledge, technical expertise, industry leadership and collaboration, innovative processing solutions and targeted training to customers around the world. Cigi is funded by farmers, the Government of Canada (AAFC) and industry partners.
