Embassy officials in Washington, D.C. discuss U.S. & world wheat market

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) recently hosted an event in Washington, D.C., for embassy officials from top wheat importing countries to discuss the U.S. and world wheat market.

Officials from 16 countries who registered for the event represented more than 50 percent of total U.S. wheat exports by volume in marketing year 2010/2011 (June to May). That year, roughly 20 percent of world wheat production crossed an international border, including more than 50 percent of the U.S. wheat crop.

The United States continues to be the most reliable wheat supplier and the leading wheat exporter in the world. Trade in U.S. wheat plays a critical role in the economy of each country by providing a reliable source of raw material for their flour milling and baking industries, which in turn helps build their economic capacity and provides their consumers with nutritious, affordable wheat food products.

“We wanted to reach out to these officials who also participate in global agriculture and agricultural trade,” said USW Director of Policy Shannon Schlecht. “In the past, government wheat buyers were our primary customers, but wheat trade has privatized and our promotional activities are now more focused on private buyers. However, government policy on such issues as import duties and non-tariff barriers can still affect trade flows to a large degree.”

The event provided an opportunity to update officials on the U.S. farm bill, the global supply and demand outlook for 2012/2013, the status of new wheat research, including potential future traits using biotechnology, and to showcase the many qualities and reliability of U.S. wheat production. “Wheat is not just wheat because it is used in a variety of products that requires different qualities,” Schlecht said. “We wanted to demonstrate that U.S. producers reliably produce six distinctly different wheat classes to meet end user needs around the world.” USW would like to extend its thanks to the officials that attended this event and to individuals who also participated from USW, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Source: National Association of Wheat Growers