ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 5 2014— U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is bringing five milling industry customers from the Philippines to soft white, hard red spring and hard red winter production regions August 6 to 16.
“U.S. wheat has been a big part of the Filipino milling and baking industry for more than 50 years,” said Joe Sowers, USW assistant regional director for South Asia. “Coming to the United States helps these new customers understand the work farmers, grain handlers and USDA put in to produce and deliver high-quality wheat and services that can help them grow their businesses.”
The Philippines is fifth largest market for U.S. wheat, based on the five-year average.
U.S. wheat market share exceeded 93 percent of total Philippine milling wheat imports in 2013/14, the fourth consecutive year exceeding 90 percent.
According to USW, the Philippine milling industry is undergoing its most substantial transition in more than two decades. After not seeing a new entrant to the commercial flour market since 1990, two new mills entered the Philippine market in 2013/14 and two more are under construction.
Additionally, the government of the Philippines has been battling Turkish export policies.
In June, the milling industry secured temporary tariff protection from Turkish flour dumping. According USW, Turkish millers were exporting flour to the Philippines at prices below fair market value resulting in a share of more than 10 percent of the Philippine flour market.
The government of the Philippines will hold a hearing later this year leading to a decision whether or not to make the tariff protection permanent.
USW’s organized the trade team visit to the United States to highlight the U.S. supply chain and wheat quality. “This activity will illustrate the many ways the U.S. wheat production and marketing system benefits the Filipino industry,” the announcement said.
With support from participating state wheat commissions, educational partners and the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), the team will visit Portland, Oregon; eastern Washington; North Dakota and Kansas. They will learn about wheat breeding, production, transportation, inspection and certification services and innovative uses.
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