Deal could be worth up to $544 million
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
A delegation representing the Taiwan Flour Mills Association will make their way to Northern Idaho where they’re expected to sign a two-year export deal worth $544 million.
The visit is expected to take place between Thursday, September 10th and Sunday, September 13th. While there, the delegation will visit a grain terminal, wheat farm and grain elevator.
“Taiwan and Idaho enjoy a very close trade relationship,” said Andy Chin, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle. “Last year Taiwan was Idaho’s fourth-largest export market; Idaho exported more than US $470 million (worth of wheat) to Taiwan in 2014. This visit is an opportunity to further expand business and cooperation between the Gem state and Taiwan going forward.”
Last November, the Idaho Wheat Commission traveled to Taiwan as part of the U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality conference. While there they met with the Taiwan Flour Mills Association and helped strengthen wheat trade between Idaho and Taiwan.
“The Taiwan Flour Mills Association is a great friend to Idaho and an important customer for Idaho’s wheat industry,” said Chairman Joe Anderson. “Roughly 50% of Idaho’s wheat crop is exported to foreign markets and Taiwan is consistently one of Idaho’s top five export destinations.”
The relationship between Taiwan and the American wheat industry spans back nearly 50 years. With the new deal coming into effect, Taiwan will import more than 70,000 metric tons (2.5 million bushels of wheat) every month.