AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
U.S. wheat leaders and Japanese officials from MAFF and JFMA met to address concerns about soybean presence in U.S. wheat shipments. Japan, a top importer of U.S. wheat (45%), seeks to maintain smooth trade relations. Discussions focused on strategies like informing producers and elevators about reducing soybean admixture. While specific farmer recommendations are premature, the meeting was considered a “good faith” effort to find solutions, avoiding shifts to other wheat sources. Both sides will continue the conversation, building on in-person discussions and site visits to grain-handling facilities.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
U.S. wheat leaders, Japan officials address soybean admixture concerns
Published 12:34 pm Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Discussion to continue, U.S. Wheat says
The delegation, representing Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Japanese Flour Millers Association, met with wheat commission staff and producers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, and grain merchandising company representatives. The group discussed strategies to reduce the presence of soybeans in wheat shipments, including providing information to producers and country elevators that handle both commodities.
Asked if farmers should do anything differently, Henry said, “We’re probably too early in these soybean-specific discussions to have any concrete asks or recommendations.”
‘Good faith’ meeting
Japan imports all of its wheat annually, with the majority, about 45%, coming from the U.S. It is consistently a top five market for U.S. wheat farmers. Canada imports about 38% and Australia imports 17%.
“The longstanding relationship between the United States and Japan depends on smooth wheat trade, cooperation, transparency and trust,” Hurst Marchant stated. “The good faith the members of the delegation showed by coming to us directly to find a solution, rather than shifting purchases to competitor origins, demonstrated respect, loyalty, trust and a genuine desire to keep trade and relationships strong between MAFF, JFMA and U.S. wheat producers.”
“The conversations will continue now that the team has returned home, with both sides benefiting from in-person discussions and firsthand site visits to grain-handling facilities,” the U.S. Wheat newsletter states.
The U.S. industry has previously worked with concerns about buckwheat presence, and U.S. Wheat often works with state commission partners to highlight the importance of keeping wheat shipments clean with regard to buckwheat, Henry noted.
