Taiwan Goodwill Mission Will Sign Letters of Intent for U.S. Wheat Purchases

As part of a biennial Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to the United States to purchase grains and other agricultural products for the people of Taiwan, representatives from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) will be in Washington, D.C., Sept. 11 to 13, 2017, to sign a letter of intent to purchase U.S. wheat in 2018 and 2019. The TFMA delegates will also visit North Dakota, Montana and Idaho to make similar commitments and to meet with state wheat commission representatives and state government officials.

The Republic of China, known as Taiwan, is on average the sixth largest market for U.S. wheat. TFMA imports wheat on behalf of all 20 Taiwanese flour mills and has imported far more wheat from the United States compared to other origins, at an average of 1.03 MMT (37.9 million bushels) per year since marketing year 2011/12.

Significant HRS imports reflect a need for strong gluten flour for breads, rolls and frozen dough products as well as for blending with HRW to make traditional Chinese flour foods and noodles. Year-to-date sales of HRS to Taiwan in marketing year 2017/18 (June to May) are up 93 percent from 2016/17. Imports of SW, including Western White (a blend of SW and up to 20 percent club), help meet growing demand for cake, cookie and pastry flours.

“We all look forward to this event and appreciate the long history of mutually beneficial trade relations with the Taiwan milling and wheat foods industry,” said USW President Vince Peterson, who will co-sign the letter of intent at the Washington, D.C., event.

# # #

Nondiscrimination and Alternate Means of Communications
U.S. Wheat Associates prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact U.S. Wheat Associates at 202-463-0999 (TDD/TTY – 800-877-8339, or from outside the U.S.- 605-331-4923). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Vice President of Finance, U.S. Wheat Associates, 3103 10th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22201, or call 202-463-0999. U.S. Wheat Associates is an equal opportunity provider and employer.