The Texas Wheat Producers Board recently hosted a Sub-Saharan African Trade Team consisting of flour milling executives from South Africa, Nigeria, Liberia and Tanzania in Corpus Christi. During their visit to Texas, the team was accompanied by U.S. Wheat Associates staff from Cape Town, South Africa, and Lagos, Nigeria.
The team members are influential individuals from countries that pose a significant market opportunity for an increase in U.S. wheat exports. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest importers of all six classes of U.S. wheat, while South Africa continues to demand a high-quality and consistent supply of U.S. and Texas wheat to supplement its own wheat production.
“Hosting the Sub-Saharan African Trade Team was part of the ongoing market development efforts of the board,” said Rodney Mosier, executive vice president of Texas Wheat. “The event was designed to maintain and increase wheat exports, which will reduce carryover stocks and strengthen wheat prices.”
The trade team connected with Texas wheat farmers and toured the state’s largest export elevators and grain terminals. The objective was to demonstrate the quality of U.S. wheat, specifically Texas hard red winter, while discussing international grain trade and the introduction of new varieties into the global market.
The TWPB continues to work with USW to establish closer relationships with international customers, including countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and keep them informed of the high quality selection provided by growers in the U.S.
For background information on the Sub-Saharan African Trade Team, visit the USW website at www.usw.org and the Texas Wheat website at www.texaswheat.org.
The Texas Wheat Producers Board is a statewide board funded by a voluntary two cent per bushel checkoff program. Checkoff funds are used for research, market development and education to further the wheat industry in Texas and support the profitability of wheat producers. For more information, visit http://www.texaswheat.org.
