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Japanese market continues to grow as quality team visits June 1
Even after you reach the top you can still reach higher, if the Japanese hard red spring wheat market is any indication. Purchasing 25 percent of all U.S. hard red spring wheat exports, the Japanese market has seen major growth over the past 40 years, averaging about a 9 percent increase annually. Even in this year of strong prices, Japanese imports of U.S. hard red spring wheat will reach their highest level ever at 61.5 million bushels for the 2006-2007 marketing year, surpassing the old high of 58 million bushels in 1994-95. "There have been two or three points in the (Japanese) market when it seemed to plateau, and the industry thought hard red spring wheat exports had hit the top," says Neal Fisher, North Dakota wheat Commission administrator. "I'm glad to say they proved us wrong two or three times over the past 40 years." "Japan is considered a mature market, which means their overall growth trend for wheat consumption has slowed or leveled out, but thanks to U.S. hard red spring quality, their demand for our wheat has not matured" says Fisher. "Making sure we continue to meet their quality demands and ensuring them that U.S. producers are committed to safe, high quality wheat are critical to maintaining our share in this top market." The Japanese technical trade group visiting the state as guests of the NDWC and U.S. wheat Associates from June 11-13, are part of the reason this long standing trade relationship has been successful. The group of milling industry representatives will visit ND State University and Northern Crops Institute in Fargo and discuss crop quality, wheat breeding and the 2007 supply outlook. The group will also travel to Bismarck and visit with the ND Department of Agriculture regarding U.S. pesticide use and regulations. Visits to CHS-Southwest Grain, Gladstone and the Jay Elkin Farm near Taylor will include an opportunity to showcase U.S. durum wheat, which may see greater Japanese market opportunities in the future. "Japan's government will make changes to its buying program in August which brings potential for imports of U.S. durum," says Erica Peterson, NDWC marketing specialist. "While their HRS interest is strong, this is a great opportunity for us to showcase our high quality durum wheat." Peterson explains that Japanese buyers come from a sophisticated market and want a better understanding of their food products life cycle--basically supply from farm to fork. "By sharing their needs and having continued dialogue with grain industry professionals, Commission staff and producers, (Japanese) buyers are able to better understand that our producers and grain handling system are well equipped to meet their needs," relates Peterson. "Giving them some solid information about durum quality will allow them to feel confident that U.S. durum can meet their needs as well as HRS has over the years." The Japanese delegation will be accompanied by Wataru Utsunomiya, newly appointed director of the U.S. wheat Associates office in Tokyo. USW works to maintain and improve export market opportunities for American wheat farmers with support from the farmers themselves through a per bushel . The Japanese delegation's visit to the United States also includes meetings with wheat industry representatives in Montana, federal grain inspectors in Washington, and grain exporters in Portland, Ore. Date: 6/11/07
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