There was a full house for the market presentation during this week's Durum Summit in Swift Current. 

Marlene Boersch with Mercantile Consulting Venture told producers that global supply and demand are fairly balanced, which means we shouldn't have an overly burdensome carryout.

She thinks we may see some minor shifting in acreage depending on the weather situation.

"Agriculture and Agri-Food just came out with an estimate last week of a six per cent reduction in durum acres. I can see that we might be losing some acres in the fringe areas, where we play off with with spring wheat, for example, but I don't really see a reduction in the major durum area. So, maybe a very slight to even acreage would be my bias, and then the most important factor to watch will be growing conditions and the influence on yield."

Boersch says they'll be watching what the seeding situation will be in the northern hemisphere for durum, as for new crop prices she thinks we'll be around $12 per bushel. 

"Certainly there's still ongoing exports, but I think my bias my personal bias is that we have seen the top of the durum market for this year. I don't think we will go much lower than we are right now because Europe still has some needs and we just did sales to Tunisia and then to Algeria, which we had relatively good prices. But again, I think we have seen the top of the market which was fueled by U.S. purchases from Canada in the fall."

Overall, Canada accounts for about 45 per cent of international durum trade.