9-26 IAT Taiwan and Wheat

Governor "Butch" Otter will preside as Taiwan Flour Mills Association representatives and Idaho wheat industry officials sign an agreement supporting U.S. wheat exports over the next two years – a deal worth $484 million. It all started in July when the U.S. Grains Council celebrated its 40th anniversary of having an office in Taiwan. The Council has worked hard to develop the market in Taiwan for U.S. grains producers - according to Council Chairman Julius Schaaf - which is why a letter of intent recently signed by the Taiwan Goodwill Agricultural Mission is so significant. Schaaf says the letter outlines Taiwan's intent to purchase 4-billion dollars total of U.S. corn, wheat and soybean products in 2014 and 2015: "When you magnify this back into the economy of the U.S., it equates to jobs and business opportunities and it also, when they take those commodities into their own country they can convert that into business development and economic development for their own GDP". Schaaf says Taiwan has been a great, stable partner over the years - and the Council looks forward to continuing this partnership.