Durum

The consumption of products made from durum wheat semolina (e.g. pasta) is constantly increasing. The production of semolina, middlings and flour from durum wheat grew by 15% in Germany alone from 2015 to 2021. Especially with the introduction of quality stable winter durum varieties, mills in northern Europe are constantly increasing their production from regional durum cultivation. Durum wheat is a very demanding crop and should therefore preferably be grown on better, water-storing soils. Durum wheat needs warm and dry conditions during ripening in order to reliably achieve the required qualities. The most characteristic quality feature of durum is the glassiness of the grain: the grains should be very hard and brittle and appear glassy when cut open. Rain or intensive dew formation during ripening prevent the formation or maintenance of glassiness. High demands are also made on characteristics such as dark spots on grains, colour value, protein content, falling number and hectolitre weight. If the quality standards are not met, there is a risk of financial losses, since sales outside the food sector are very difficult. The interests of traders and mills should therefore be taken into account in advance. As with spelt, it makes sense to grow durum under contract. The current yield level in practice is between 5 and 7 t/ha. The yield potential under ideal conditions is significantly higher. To breed winter hardy durum varieties to extend the vegetation period was an essential step on the way to further increase the yield. The first winter durum variety "WINTERGOLD" (2011) from SAATEN-UNION to be approved in Germany has set standards in durum cultivation. WINTERGOLD was a key reason why at least 80% of the total durum wheat area in Germany is now cultivated with winter durum. In addition, the variety helped to increase the durum area in Germany from around 8,000 ha (2013) to a good 30,000 ha (2022). Wintersonne and Winterstern were successfully approved as follow-up varieties in 2022. These will establish themselves in all areas suitable for durum in the upcoming years. To complete the portfolio SAATEN-UNION also offers the spring durum variety „Duralis“ which is an officially recommended variety in the main German durum cultivation area.