By: Clover Chang, U.S. Grains Council Director in Taiwan

Aware that global markets are critical to the prosperity of U.S. agriculture, trade teams from the United States generally are trying to build relations in key export markets. And those teams rely on the U.S. Grains Council’s boots on the ground effort to help arrange their schedule.

Last week, for example, the Council facilitated the visits of three U.S. teams to Taiwan: an agricultural trade mission from Indiana, led by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann; a legislative leadership group from Washington State; and a multi-state legislative group representing Missouri, Kansas, and North Dakota. The teams had productive meetings with government and industry officials in Taiwan, and U.S. business representatives located in Taiwan, in which they learned about opportunities for U.S. products in Taiwan.

As a longtime, stable U.S. trade partner, Taiwan is a key stop for U.S. delegations seeking to build relationships around the Pacific Rim, the hub of global economic growth in today’s world. The Council works hard to ensure that these missions are productive. Building on the Council’s long-standing relationship with the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, the Indiana team also signed a letter of intent with TFIA expressing the intention to purchase between 560,000 and 700,000 metric tons (22 to 27.6 million bushels) of U.S. corn valued at more than $150 million in 2015 and 2016.

The Council has been active in Taiwan for 40 years and has worked in virtually every area of demand, trade, policy and marketing. Taiwan has been a top customer of U.S. corn for more than a decade, and it remains a top priority for the Council to sustain demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products. As a trusted bridge between international customers and U.S. agriculture, the Council’s in-market presence opens doors, builds relations and strengthens access to global markets for U.S. producers.