U.S. Wheat Associates released its 2026 Crop Quality Report, which for the first time includes spaghetti data for hard red winter wheat, giving pasta makers additional evaluation criteria. The report covers protein content, test weight, kernel properties, milling performance and flour functionality, with USW hosting over 32 international seminars through early December to present the findings to millers and wheat buyers worldwide.
- First-time addition: The 2026 report includes spaghetti data for U.S. hard red winter wheat, providing pasta makers with new evaluation methods
- Comprehensive analysis: Report covers protein content, test weight, kernel properties, milling performance and flour functionality
- Collaborative effort: Growers, state wheat commissions, laboratories and USDA contribute to collecting, testing and analyzing samples
- Global outreach: USW hosting 32+ in-person seminars across six regions from November through early December 2025
- Earlier survey: September 2026 soft red winter survey analyzed 196 samples from 11 states representing 69% of SRW production
U.S. Wheat Associates released its 2026 Crop Quality Report on Wednesday and opened an international seminar series to walk millers and wheat buyers through the characteristics of this year's export crop.
The report covers protein content, test weight, kernel properties, milling performance and flour functionality, along with how growing conditions, harvest timing and regional differences shaped the wheat available for export, according to the USW announcement. For the first time, it includes spaghetti data for U.S. hard red winter wheat, giving pasta makers another way to evaluate the class.
Erica Oakley, USW vice president of programs, has managed production of the report since 2018. She said growers, state wheat commissions, laboratories and USDA all contribute to collecting, testing and analyzing samples.
"Overall, the report reflects a collaborative effort throughout the U.S. wheat industry," Oakley said.
The full report follows class-by-class surveys released earlier in the fall. USW's 2026 soft red winter survey, released Sept. 24, drew on 196 samples from elevators in 11 states representing 69% of SRW production. It found a crop in good condition overall, with pockets of lower falling numbers that could draw discounts or be directed to other uses.
The seminars are the delivery mechanism. USW expects to hold more than 32 in-person events, pairing staff specialists in the six U.S. wheat classes with participating farmers. Presentations are tailored by market and cover relevant classes, supply and demand and other local priorities for millers and purchasing managers.
The schedule began with European events in late September and October and runs through early December:
- South Asia, Nov. 2-6: Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok; and Manila, Philippines.
- South America, Nov. 9-16: Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; Cali and Bogota, Colombia; and Santiago, Chile.
- Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Nov. 9-20: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
- North Asia, Nov. 9-16: Seoul, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Kunming, China.
- Middle East and North Africa, Nov. 9-11: Cairo and Casablanca, Morocco.
- Sub-Saharan Africa, Nov. 18-23: Dakar, Senegal; Lagos, Nigeria; and Cape Town, South Africa.
- Europe, through Dec. 3: Milan and Altamura, Italy, and Porto, Portugal, following earlier seminars in Spain and a virtual session.
"By combining detailed crop analysis with direct engagement, we aim to give international customers more than a snapshot of the harvest," said Catherine Miller, USW director of programs.
The 2026 report and earlier editions are available in the Crop and Quality section of the USW website.
