Trade, trade, trade. It’s the name of the game.
In July, the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council (MWRPC) welcomed a team of six Brazilian wheat traders to the Twin Cities, building the kind of relationships that lead to increased exports. Though Brazil doesn’t traditionally purchase hard red spring wheat, the Land of 10,000 Lakes offers plenty to buyers.
“Unfortunately, Brazil really doesn’t buy any spring wheat,” MWRPC Chair Mark Jossund said. “They’re typically buying 10 and a half protein wheat so if they do buy U.S. wheat, they’re buying hard red winter wheat. They came to Minnesota because of Cargill, CHS and ADM.”
Organized by U.S. Wheat Associates and attended by Jossund, MWRPC Director Kevin Leiser and Executive Director Brian Sorenson, the Brazilian delegation spent a significant portion of its time in the Twin Cities “talking shop” with the Minnesota-based ag powerhouses.
“They had good discussions about how they could better work with each other,” Jossund said. “The discussions were around how they could access the markets and they all exchanged information.”
Along with Cargill, CHS and ADM, the trade team visited Ardent Mills in Hastings and the University of Minnesota, where they met with Dr. Jim Anderson, a spring wheat breeder.
“It’s important for them to learn about variety development,” Sorenson said. “It helps for future export opportunities.”
But the main goal of the trade team? Developing relationships.
“The goal from MWRPC’s standpoint was to meet with these buyers to help them understand the quality and value of the hard red spring wheat produced here in Minnesota,” Sorenson said. “We wanted to spend time with them and help build relationships so that they have a better understanding of the quality and availability of our wheat.”
Even though the benefits of trade teams aren’t necessarily quantifiable, they are still vital to the wheat industry.
“You can’t really view it as we’re selling X number of bushels,” Jossund said. “I can’t sit and tell our producers that, ‘Well, because of this trade team we sold 100,000 bushels.’ It doesn’t work like that. It’s about long-term relationship building.”
Comprising nine board members who are elected to direct Minnesota wheat checkoff dollars, MWRPC is committed to promoting Minnesota-grown wheat, aiming to expand international export markets. Hosting trade teams is just one avenue checkoff dollars are invested in to benefit Minnesota wheat producers.
“The Minnesota farmer produces one of the best classes of wheat with high protein, so we want to show that off,” Jossund said. “Even if it doesn’t translate into them buying, the trade teams can still see how committed we are to quality in the state.
