WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Representatives from 10 countries are attending the International Durum Wheat Program at the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The program, which runs during the week of Aug. 19, includes lectures, laboratory sessions, field visits, and pilot processing demonstrations on Canadian durum wheat.

The 14 international participants represent trading organizations, mills and processing companies from Algeria, Colombia, Cuba, Germany, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, and the U.S. A participant from a Canadian couscous processing company is also attending as well as two representatives from the Canadian Grain Commission. 

In addition to classroom and technical sessions at Cigi and a tour of crop plots near Winnipeg, the participants will visit the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and a grain farm near Saskatoon. The group will then travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where they will tour a terminal elevator, the CGC, and the Port of Vancouver. 

“The program will offer international customers a greater understanding of Canada Western Amber Durum wheat and its application in pasta and other end products as well as providing us with additional information on their end-use requirements,” said Earl Geddes, Cigi chief executive officer, who is heading the program. Topics will include breeding, production, grading, handling, transportation, marketing, milling and end-use processing. One session will look at the use of pulse flour and durum wheat in the production of noodles. Canadian industry representatives will also be available for discussion.