Wheat Deal

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould recently met with representatives of the Taiwan Flour Mills Association and Idaho wheat industry officials to sign an agreement supporting U.S. wheat exports over the next two years – a deal worth $576 million.

 

“It gives me great pleasure to accompany the Taiwan Agriculture Goodwill Mission to visit the great State of Idaho again. The United States has long been Taiwan's most important supplier of agricultural products, which makes Taiwan the seventh largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural exports. Among the states, Idaho is one of the most important and reliable partners of Taiwan in terms of agricultural trade,” Director General Vincent C.H. Yao said. “Taiwan's consumers benefit a lot from the high-quality agriculture products of Idaho. In the meantime, this mission's visit is another testament of the already very cordial ties between Taiwan and the State of Idaho. The heartfelt hospitality and warm welcome that the government and people of Idaho so kindly extended to the mission is deeply appreciated.”   

 

“Export markets are critical to Idaho’s economy and to Idaho wheat growers,” Governor Otter said. “We welcome the Taiwan Flour Mills Association back to Idaho and greatly appreciate their loyalty as a customer.  The consumption of wheat foods in Taiwan has now surpassed rice and we appreciate that the Taiwan milling industry recognizes the quality of Idaho wheat. This visit will foster further sales opportunities for our state.”  

 

“Taiwan and Idaho also enjoy a close trade relationship.  In 2016, Taiwan was Idaho’s third-largest export market; Idaho exported US$ 637 million to Taiwan in that year,” said Mr. Tony I-T Chen, chairman of the TFMA. “Taiwan’s consumers have appreciated high-quality Idaho-grown wheat and famous potatoes for decades.”

 

The U.S. wheat industry has had an excellent working relationship with Taiwan for more than 40 years. The Taiwan Flour Millers Association imports wheat on behalf of all 20 Taiwanese flour mills. The United States supplies more than 80 percent of Taiwan’s total wheat imports each year. The TFMA continues to be one of Idaho’s best customers year after year, coming in as one of the top five wheat importing trade partners.