Taiwan Purchase Pledge Spurs USDA Agriculture Trade Mission

Taiwan’s pledge to expand imports strengthens export prospects for U.S. row crops, livestock products, and specialty commodities, while the USDA’s broader trade push seeks to diversify farm markets globally.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (RFD-TV) — Idaho and Taiwan have signed a wheat deal worth more than $1 billion, extending their decades-long partnership. Taiwanese flour millers plan to purchase more than three million metric tons of wheat from U.S. producers over a three-year period. The state’s farm bureau shows us how this is more than a trade deal, but also a friendship.

Taiwan’s recent pledge to boost U.S. agricultural purchases by 30 percent over the next four years is driving a new USDA agribusiness trade mission to the island.

Taiwan is already the eighth-largest market for U.S. farm exports, buying $3.8 billion in 2024 and providing a $3.1 billion U.S. trade surplus. Its high-income consumers favor premium foods, giving U.S. producers opportunities in soybeans, corn, wheat, dairy, beef, fresh fruit, and tree nuts. Taiwan’s advanced economy and recent commitments make it a prime focus for U.S. trade expansion.

Led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, the mission includes 39 agribusinesses, trade groups, and three state agriculture departments aiming to secure new sales and expand market access.

The U.S. poultry industry has emerged as a significant market opportunity for Taiwan, taking center stage and showing just how in demand American chicken can be.

Lindberg teamed up with celebrity chef Max Yang to showcase American chicken in traditional Taiwanese dishes. The U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council praised the presentation, calling the dishes ‘cooked to perfection,’ and highlighted growing opportunities for U.S. poultry exports in Asia.

The Taiwan trip follows recent USDA missions to Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, which are projected to generate $64 million in sales. Future missions are planned for Mexico in November and Japan in October as part of the USDA’s 2025 export promotion strategy.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Taiwan’s pledge to expand imports strengthens export prospects for U.S. row crops, livestock products, and specialty commodities, while USDA’s broader trade push seeks to diversify farm markets globally.
Related Stories
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the Carney-Xi meeting could mean for Canadian producers.
The Livestock Conservancy joins us in the RFD-TV Studio to discuss how protecting heritage-breed poultry is essential to resilient food systems and the preservation of agricultural traditions.
Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA), shares his reaction to news of soybean sales to China, which is considered both “welcome news” and a return to near-normal trade relations.
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses key outcomes from the U.S.-China trade agreement and the benefits of expanding trade across Southeast Asia.
Chris Bliley with Growth Energy discusses ongoing concerns about U.S. ethanol exports and the expansion of market access promised under the Phase One deal between the U.S. and China.
“It does not extinguish right away here — in any sort of sense — the real profitability concerns and people’s ability to pay bills and get to the other side of this in the very short term. This is where the skepticism builds.”
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) shares his perspective on the U.S.-China trade developments and their potential impact on American producers, farmers, and ranchers.
Rich Nelson, a commodity broker for Allendale Inc., joins us to break down what the U.S.-China trade agreement means for the ag economy.
The U.S.-China summit raises hopes for stronger exports and reduced barriers, but U.S. ag players should remain strategically cautious until concrete volumes and certifications materialize.