Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana wheat growers got some good news as Taiwan signed an agreement to buy a large amount of wheat that primarily come from those three states. An Associated Press report says Idaho Governor Butch Otter signed an agreement this week with Taiwanese officials after Montana and North Dakota also signed agreements. Otter said, “The consumption of wheat foods in Taiwan has now surpassed rice and we appreciate that the Taiwan milling industry recognizes the quality of Idaho wheat.” The Taiwanese Flour Millers Association represents 20 flour mills in the country. This is the eleventh time that Taiwan has signed an agreement to buy U.S. wheat. Taiwan has about one-sixth the land mass of Idaho but a population of more than 23 million people. The U.S. supplies more than 80 of its total wheat imports every year. With this new agreement, Taiwan will buy 1.8 million metric tons of wheat in 2018 and 2019. Bill Flory, Vice Chairman of the Idaho Wheat Commission, says the partnership between Taiwan millers and Idaho wheat producers is enduring and very successful.
