NCI Participates in Trade Mission to Taiwan
NCI Director, David Boehm, recently supported a trade mission to Taiwan on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO). From April 27th - May 2nd, representatives from North Dakota commodity and ingredient suppliers, and logistics and shipping organizations met with a variety of Taiwanese buyers and import agencies in support of North Dakota producers.
After a briefing from the American Institute in Taiwan and US Foreign Ag Service, Boehm had a chance to meet individually with ingredient buyers at a “Business-to-Business” meeting organized by the NDTO. The mission of the NCI is to help grow markets for ND commodities, and Boehm believes this trip fit well within that mission.
“It was very fruitful to provide direct contacts to these businesses, and help them not only understand the quality of the products grown in ND, but physically give them phone numbers and email addresses to the local companies that can supply them.”
Taiwan and its importers and companies have been strong supporters of US ag commodities. Although the population is only 23M, 21% of their ag commodities originate from the US, making it their leading supplier. Across all industries, Taiwan is the 12th largest global market, and the 8th largest supplier to the US. North Dakota alone exports $27.3M to Taiwan, our 11th largest export market, with a majority as oilseeds, edible vegetables, and cereals. In fact, these three segments have seen impressive 244% growth since 2022. Boehm noted, “I had no idea that Taiwan was such an important market for North Dakota, so this mission confirmed the need to solidify and build relationships with buyers.”
The trade mission met with the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) to strengthen our commitment to providing high quality Dark Northern Spring wheat, and heard from US Soybean Export Council about the market and trends for US soybeans. Boehm also had a chance to meet directly with the Taiwan Country Director and Technical Director with the US Wheat Associates, and with former Director of the Taiwan office of the US Grains Council, Mr. Clover SY Chang.
Tours and meetings were organized with the China Grain Products Research and Development Institute. “I noticed many similarities in what they do, and the work of the NCI,” Boehm reported. “But since 80-90% of the wheat that is milled in Taiwan comes from the US, they also support wheat quality research and education that benefits our growers. I felt at home here!”
The group was also able to tour and discuss with leadership at the Port of Taipei, celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei, and tour and discuss with I-MEI Group, one of the largest food manufactures in Taiwan. While there, the team noticed a pallet of soybeans from SB&B Foods, Casselton, ND.
On the last day of the mission, members were able to view a traditional “wet market”, a Taiwanese market for food selling fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, and an evening street market.
“It’s important to know that these trips aren’t vacations, and that multiple ND companies were taking orders and creating relationships. I have a list of contacts that I am making to help connect the marketplace to our commodities. Now the work begins.” Boehm added, “these missions bring real value back to the state and our ag industry, when ROI is discussed as a key measurement, the value of these efforts is clear.”