Building mutual trust and long-term business relationships takes time and commitment. As a part of its market development activities, one important activity U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) employs to create stronger partnerships with overseas customers is to invite them to have a firsthand look at the U.S. wheat crop. That is what a team of six flour milling executives from Japan’s leading milling companies will do during travel to the Pacific Northwest April 30 to May 8, 2015.
“Japan imports large amounts of U.S. wheat so it is important for the Japanese flour milling industry to regularly exchange views and information with U.S. wheat organizations and businesses,” said Mr. Masaaki Kadota, executive director of Japan’s Flour Millers Association. “We really appreciate your efforts to support our needs as your customers.”
USW collaborated with the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, Oregon Wheat Commission and Washington Grain Commission to organize and host this trade team.
The Oregon Wheat Growers League (OWGL) established the first overseas U.S. wheat export office in Tokyo in 1956 and in that same year, the first Japanese millers team visited the United States to learn about its markets. After it was established, USW continued the tradition and for well over a decade, this particular activity has become an annual trip for Japanese executive millers. According to Kadota — who has accompanied this team for many years — there is always something new to learn and discuss.
“There is nothing better than strengthening the mutual trust I have with those whom I meet each year,” said Kadota.
The team will make stops in Oregon, Washington and Montana. During meetings with wheat farmers, grain industry representatives and university researchers, the team will discuss the U.S. wheat supply and demand picture, including potential quality, availability and price. The team will also discuss current views on competitive markets, dietary trends and the role innovations in wheat breeding will have in balancing future world food supply demands with the need for less impact on the environment.
“This exchange of dialogue and information is essential to U.S. trade with Japan,” said USW West Coast Office Assistant Director Shawn Campbell. “When questions and concerns arise, we rely on the trust built during these activities to guide us toward decisions that have a positive impact for both U.S. wheat farmers and the Japanese milling industry.”
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