Agricultural News
Korean Crop Survey Team to Examine U.S. Wheat Quality
Fri, 11 Jul 2014 10:33:22 CDT
Wheat farmers and commissions in Montana, Washington and Oregon will demonstrate the value and reliability of the U.S. soft white (SW), hard red spring (HRS) and hard red winter (HRW) wheat crops to five South Korean flour milling executives July 12 to 19, 2014 as part of a U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) trade team. Collectively, these team members control about 50 percent of Korean wheat imports.
"Korean consumers want the best quality for their food as well as an increasing variety. As a result, flour specifications are becoming more complicated," said Chang-Yoon Kang, USW country director based in Seoul, South Korea, who will travel with the millers. "It is very important that these millers see the current wheat crops they will buy and gain a better understanding of what the entire wheat chain, from the farm to the export elevator, does to ensure U.S. wheat quality."
This team will several key components of the U.S. wheat supply system. Members will see firsthand HRS and HRW growing in northern Montana's "Golden Triangle" and SW in eastern Washington's Palouse region, then visit country elevators as well as shuttle train and barge loading facilities. In Portland, OR, they will experience the federal grain inspection process and other quality assurance services.
USW collaborated with the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, the Washington Grain Commission and the Oregon Wheat Commission to organize this year's crop survey team.
U.S. wheat represents the largest share of the South Korean import market. Commercial sales over the past five years averaged 56.5 million bushels, almost 50 percent of which was SW. U.S. wheat faces stiff competition from Canada and Australia, particularly for Korean-style noodle flour.
USW is the industry's market development organization working in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to "develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers." USW activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by FAS.
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