Photo: USW Vice President of Policy Dalton Henry (center) with members of the Japan Flour Millers Association in USW’s Arlington Office.

Shortly after its arrival in the U.S., a trade team made of members of the Japan Flour Millers Association (JFMA) met with USDA officials in Washington, D.C. and U.S. Wheat Associates staff in Arlington, Virgina. A few days later, as the team swept across the country, it stopped in Ririe, Idaho, to visit with USW Chairman Clark Hamilton.

“We always look forward to hosting this team in Arlington because it gives us a chance to share updates and discuss market and trade issues on both sides,” said USW Vice President of Policy Dalton Henry, who met with the team during the first leg of its U.S. visit. “Japan is a very important market for the U.S. wheat industry, and we are a very important supplier of high-quality wheat. Over the years, we have a solid relationship with the millers of Japan. We had another good meeting this year.”

On its way to USW’s West Coast Office in Portland, Oregon, the team stopped in Idaho to meet with Hamilton and learn about his farm. Along with a tour of his emerging soft white (SW) wheat crop and his potato growing operation, the visit included discussions about the things Japan millers are looking for when they purchase wheat.

“The great thing about these trade teams is that we can sit down on the farm and trade thoughts and information, and really get to know each other,” Hamilton said. “It’s an important piece in building and maintaining these relationships.”

See scenes from the visit to Hamilton’s farm and hear from one of the Japanese millers in this short video  . . .