 During a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library on
Wednesday, the 17-member delegation signed letters of intent with
the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Soybean
Association, expressing a desire to purchase Illinois grain in 2010
and 2011.
"Illinois agriculture is an export-dependent industry," said Tom
Jennings, state agriculture director. "We ship 40 percent of our
grain out of the country and are grateful to the Taiwan Feed
Industry Association and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers not
only for their business, but also for their long-standing
friendship."
In 2008, Taiwan was the top customer of agricultural products
from Illinois with purchases of more than $955 million. Taiwan also
ranked as the seventh-largest export market for U.S. agricultural
products overall and the fourth-largest market for U.S. corn and
soybeans.
"The sale of Illinois corn and corn products to the Taiwanese is
great news for Illinois growers as we prepare to harvest another
large corn crop," said Jim Rapp, chairman of the Illinois Corn
Marketing Board. "Taiwan continues to be a valued customer, while
Illinois growers remain reliable producers of corn."
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"We thank Taiwan for their continued support of our industry and
look forward to building our relationship with them," added Ron
Moore, Illinois Soybean Association chairman. "We realize that in
the United States almost every other row of soybeans harvested is
exported to countries like Taiwan, and this in return creates a
stronger market for Illinois farmers' soybeans."
The Taiwan Feed Industry Group intends to purchase 7.7 million to
10.5 million metric tons (303 million to 413 million bushels) of
U.S. corn and 0.5 million to 0.75 million metric tons of corn
byproducts. The Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers' Association will
buy between 3 million and 3.2 million metric tons (110 million and
118 million bushels) of U.S. soybeans. Combined, the two sales total
an estimated $3.5 billion.
The agricultural mission from Taiwan is in central Illinois on a
three-day visit. Members also are scheduled to meet with legislators
and farm organizations during their trip to cultivate future
opportunities for trade.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Agriculture file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
