News Releases for March 2004
March 25, 2004
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Trade Delegation Develops New Export Markets For North Dakota's Agriculture Products
BISMARCK, N.D. - Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and members of North Dakota’s trade delegation succeeded today in developing new markets and enhancing existing relationships with Taiwan regarding exports of value-added agriculture products. Gov. John Hoeven organized the trade mission in response to an invitation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).
“Taiwan is the world’s second largest consumer of agricultural products on a per capita basis and must import most of those products,” said Dalrymple. “That demand, along with Taiwan’s desire to trade with the U.S., presents numerous export opportunities for North Dakota’s value-added agriculture businesses and producers.”
Carl Peterson, president of Peterson Farms Seed in Harwood, and Dave Morken, sales manager with Unity Seed in Casselton, met with members of Taiwan’s Tofu Buyers Association to discuss specialty soybeans needed for soy milk and high-quality tofu products. The two companies expect to ship a full container - about 42,000 lbs - of soybean samples to the association members within the next three months, representing a new market opportunity for both.
Scott Kroeger, business development manager for Arthur Companies in Arthur, and Roger Weinlaeder, president of Weinlaeder Seed Company in Drayton, developed a new export opportunity with buyers from the Barley Importers Association for food grade barley and malt barley used to brew Taiwanese beer.
According to Kroeger and Weinlaeder, Australia currently supplies 80 percent of all barley imports to Taiwan. However, after meeting with North Dakota’s delegation, the buyers expressed a desire to begin purchasing barley from the United States. Since Taiwan is adopting American brewing and packaging methods for its locally-brewed beer, they hope to solidify their market share by using U.S. barley, securing future contracts for North Dakota producers.
Superior Grains President Jerome Knudson from Crosby developed a new relationship with Pea/Lentil Buyers in Taiwan and discussed possible contracts later this year for North Dakota peas and lentils to be used in snack foods and feed.
Hoeven said, “We are pleased the delegation members are making progress. That means good things for North Dakota.”
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