According to USDA FAS, Taiwan’s outstanding sales and accumulated exports of U.S. barley as of April 17 have increased almost 174 percent this marketing year (June1-May 31), over the same period last year. One promising use of U.S. barley in Taiwan is in food products. U.S. barley has been gaining popularity in Taiwan since U.S. research discovered – and the U.S. Grains Council began promoting – the health benefits of high beta-glucan U.S. barley, which has heart-healthy properties, including reduced cholesterol. As the Taiwanese general public continues to grow more health conscious, this increase in imports will likely continue and drive future market growth.

An important step in growing this market is the approval of beta-glucan U.S. barley by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Recently, the Nam Chow Group’s Ready-to-eat Barley-Rice product – which consists of about 35 percent high beta-glucan U.S. barley – received approval from Taiwan’s MOHW. However, when the Nam Chow Group began looking for a long-term reliable supplier of beta-glucan U.S. barley, they were unable to find one.

The Council was able to resolve the Nam Chow Group’s sourcing problem, by introducing the Nam Chow Group to Itochu Taiwan Corporation. The Itochu Taiwan Corporation was able to allocate beta-glucan U.S. barley for the Nam Chow Group and they placed a three-month order.

The Council will continue helping food companies apply and/or obtain healthy certifications of food barley, that contains beta-glucan U.S. barley, as well as helping traders and importers buy beta-glucan U.S. barley.