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.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
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Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
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