Soft White Wheat

Washington's Leading Crop, the World's Preferred Flour

The number one wheat grown in Washington, soft white wheat (SW) is a global favorite for producing quality flour, specialty foods, and a wide variety of regional baked goods.   

Soft White Wheat Characteristics

Valued by millers and bakers alike, soft white wheat delivers low moisture, low protein, and a fine texture. Grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest in both winter and spring, SW falls into three subclasses: 

Soft White 

  • Protein 8.5% to 10.5% (on a 12% moisture basis)
  • Moisture is typically less than 10%
  • Cakes, pastries, muffins, Asian style noodles

White Club 

  • Very weak gluten and softest of all U.S. wheat classess
  • Grown exclusively in the PNW
  • Excellent texture for cookies, sponge cakes, tempura batters

Western White

  • A blend of Soft White and White Club wheat
  • Contains at least 10% of White Club
  • Prized for its cake and confectionary baking quality.

Visit U.S. Wheat Soft White for more information.

A soft white wheat field at sunset.

Key International Markets & Main Uses

Primarily grown in the Pacific Northwest, approximately 80% of SW is exported around the world—with top markets in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.  

Domestic Uses of Soft White Wheat

  • Food production at bakeries and food manufactures
  • Flour blends with hard red wheats, to improve color and texture
  • Research, including breeding programs, quality control studies, and milling and baking testing
  • Seed stock, for future planting

Philippines

  • Main uses: Pandesal (breakfast bread), cakes, pastries, and snack foods

Japan

  • Main uses: Sponge cakes and baked goods

South Korea

  • Main uses: Cookies, crackers, pastries, instant noodles, and snack foods

Mexico

  • Main uses: Cookies, crackers, tortillas (blend of SW and Hard Red Winter)

Washington Soft White Wheat

Washington is the largest soft white wheat producer in the United States.

Our temperate climate provides ideal growing conditions, while our volcanic soils provide optimum drainage. Guided by the leadership of multigenerational farm families and agricultural researchers, Washington wheat producers use agronomic (soil science) practices that enhance growth and ensure quality.

Top SW Varieties

VIEW Full PDF Report
  • Soft White Winter
  • 1. Gale
  • 2. VI Gem
  • 3. WB1720
  • 4. AP Olympia
  • 5. GS Bounty
  • Soft White Spring
  • 1. Blush
  • 2. Tekoa
  • 3. Ryan
  • 4. Butch CL+
  • 5. Seahawk

Topmost Planted Varieties in Washington

Winter Wheat Variety Name
Acres Planted
Piranha CL+
333,929
Norwest Tandem
149,289
VI Voodoo CL+
146,059
LCS Shine
129,036
M-Press
106,527
Spring Wheat Variety Name
Acres Planted
Ryan
172,816
Tekoa
62,122
Louise
50,146
AP Mondovi CL2
29,582
Seahawk
23,739

Companies in Washington that use Soft White Wheat

Grains

Palouse Brand

Palouse, WA

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Cairnspring Milling

Burlington, WA

Wheat Machine

Chimacum Valley Grainery

Chimacum, WA

AdobeStock_1377879873

Dry Fly Distilling

Spokane, WA

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Bainbridge Organic Distillers

Bainbridge Island, WA

2024-08-09_Harvest_Kevin-Klein_byLori-J-Maricle47

Sandstone Distillery

Tenino, WA

Almira harvest tour. Mike Carstensen's farm.

Grand Central Bakery

Seattle, WA

Golden wheat fields swaying in the wind, sun setting behind rolling hills. Adobe Stock by Hassan Ramzan

Macrina Bakery

Seattle, WA

AdobeStock_91480556

The Grain Shed

Spokane, WA

AdobeStock large burlap sacks with wheat at loading dock

Viva Ultra Bread

Spokane, WA

AdobeStock_664880789

miFlavour

Spokane, WA

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