WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Flour output by U.S. mills in January-June increased 2.5% to a record 205,398,000 cwts, compared with 200,337,000 cwts in the first half of 2011, according to data interpolated by Milling & Baking News from statistics released by the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA). Based on interpolated NAMA data, flour production in the second quarter aggregated 101,936,000 cwts, up 1.6% from 100,313,000 cwts in April-June 2011. It was down 1.5% from 103,462,000 cwts in January-March of this year.

NAMA and Veris Consulting, Inc. have been gathering data on U.S. flour production since the U.S. Census halted its reports at the end of the second quarter in 2011. NAMA data reflect numbers from 24 milling companies which have 95.4% of the daily capacity. To maintain comparison with past data as far as feasible, Milling & Baking News has divided NAMA output data by .954.