Wheat-growing trials may lead to export of wheat for pasta

15/4/95

Western Australia could soon be exporting wheat for pasta production following the results of new wheat growing trials last year, Primary Industry Minister Monty House announced today.

For the first time, four farmers from Dowerin, Kellerberrin and Narembeen sowed durum wheat, which is used for pasta products, and the results were very impressive.

"Wheat for pasta production is one of the most lucrative niche markets for wheat, yet a pasta wheat industry has never been started in WA," Mr House said.

"We are now starting to take advantage of our climatic conditions to grow wheat suitable for pasta production by assisting growers with better information about growing needs."

Wheat for pasta requires a higher protein content and growers have been reluctant to grow it because they believe conditions would not produce the required protein level.

"However, the four farmers have demonstrated that is simply not the case, and a further 1,000 hectares of durum wheat will be sown this season," Mr House said.

The price for pasta wheat is usually $50/tonne higher than high protein bread wheat, and last season local growers were offered $340/tonne for wheat landed in NSW, although prices have been up to $250/tonne in more normal seasons.

The consumption of pasta is increasing faster than any other wheat based product in the world. The growth rate was 4 per cent for dried pasta last year in Australia, and 100 per cent for fresh pasta.

"Obviously there is a major potential for a local pasta wheat industry to capture international niche markets, especially in South-East Asia," Mr House said.

"We are well placed to service the South-East Asian market, including the world's largest flour mill in Indonesia which is currently operating at under capacity.

"The department and the local growers have already received many strong inquiries to supply wheat and have already sent test batches to several international pasta manufacturers.

"San Remo - one of Australia's biggest pasta makers - is offering contracts for 15,000 tonnes of wheat for pasta from WA this coming season."

There is also the potential to add value to the wheat by milling it here and making pasta locally.

The Minister said there were still marketing issues to be worked out by growers and buyers while the industry was in its infancy, and further research would need to be done to work out the most efficient ways of growing wheat for pasta.

"However, thanks to the successful efforts of these four farmers and the department's research officers, other growers are now starting to plant durum wheat and a new local industry has definitely started," he said.

"Our eventual output will probably be between 50 - 100,000 t/pa, and durum wheat will probably be grown on the better soils of the Eastern wheatbelt."

Media contact: Will Henwood 481 2044

Department of Agriculture Dr Wal Anderson (09) 368 3521