U.S. barley exports to Japan have declined since 2008, when Japan imported around 400,000 metric tons (18 million bushels). However, this year the U.S. Grains Council organized a Japanese barley trade team to travel to Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota to rebuild and the trade relationship between Japanese buyers and U.S. producers and suppliers.
During a farm visit in Idaho, the team learned about crop rotation practices and had the opportunity to see a new high yield feed barley variety that had been freshly harvested. The tour also included visits at Montana State University and Northern Crop Institute (NCI). These programs provided information on new food-use oriented barley, including high beta-glucan varieties already available on the market and more under development. The team was also briefed on barley food-use development in the United States.
“As team members learned during the tour, U.S. barley farmers are extremely capable of meeting the demand needs of Japanese buyers. The trip was an excellent venue to rejuvenate this trade relationship and re-open the door for more U.S. barley use in Japan,� said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan.