In the world wheat market, milling companies of all sizes can have an impact on wheat exports and purchasing decisions. This is certainly the case in Japan where mid-sized milling companies representing Japan’s National Cooperative of Millers provide input on the functional characteristics those millers need to meet customer demand to buyers at Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
USW welcomed a trade team of four milling executives from mid-sized companies in the co-op to the United States from May 28 to June 4. USW collaborated with the Oregon Wheat Commission (OWC), Washington Grain Commission (WGC) and the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee (MWBC) to organize and host this trade team. Funding also came from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
“Japan will be the second largest buyer of U.S. soft white (SW) and HRS wheat this year, which means no matter the size of the mill, it is important that these millers are familiar with U.S. wheat value and our marketing system,” said Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and Director of the West Coast Office. “Japanese millers are always quality conscious and ask good questions about improving overall wheat quality and end-use functionality.”
The team began its trip in Portland, OR, meeting with the OWC, USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC), to learn more about the U.S. wheat market.
Next the team traveled to Washington to focus on research and breeding, transportation and SW wheat crop conditions.
During a tour at a barge loading facility, the team had an impromptu opportunity to visit the nearby dam and watch a barge and tug boat go through the lock and down the river.
“U.S. wheat growers rely on the river system to move their wheat,” said Mary Palmer Sullivan, WGC Vice President. “The opportunity to see the system in action demonstrated its importance and why periodic closures have to happen so improvements can be made.”
Palmer Sullivan made that point during a visit to the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Western Wheat Quality Lab, where the team spent time in the greenhouse and observing the wheat breeding process.
“The same traceability that we recognize as important to U.S. millennials is maybe more important to Japanese consumers,” said Scott Yates, WGC Director of Communications and Producer Relations. “They want to know that ingredients in their food was grown to the highest standard.”
While in Montana, the team shifted its focus to HRS wheat production and continued to meet with members of the supply chain. At the center of the schedule was a farm tour with Montana farmer Chris Kolstad, who showed them his spring and winter wheat production, equipment and grain storage while explaining how the technology he uses allows his farm to be more efficient.
“The team was curious about the new varieties we seeded and I shared with them that all of our wheat varieties are tested and proven before they are commercialized for farmers to use,” said Kolstad, who current serves on the USW Board of Directors as Secretary-Treasurer. “Eighty percent of Montana grains are sent to foreign markets, so it is important to demonstrate the work we put in to growing quality wheat.”
Stephen Becker, MWBC Outreach Coordinator added, “We are firm believers in the strength of personal relationships with our trade partners,” he said. “These customers learn firsthand the knowledge our producers carry and the pride they have in producing a high quality crop, which is important to keep top-of-mind among those who make purchasing decisions.”
Ultimately the importance of relationships between U.S. wheat farmers and overseas customers is mutual.
“I think the opportunity to meet with U.S. wheat farmers and breeders is important,” said Shinjo Oda, Odazo Flour Milling Company President. “From wheat breeding to the producer to the country elevator and to the shuttle train or barge, we have a better understanding of the overall flow of the U.S. wheat industry.”