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 “This is a win for our agricultural community — and a testament
to the labor that our farmers put in day and day out to make us
a top global producer of corn and soybeans,” said Governor JB
Pritzker. “I have no doubt that Illinois and Taiwan will
continue to enjoy a mutually prosperous friendship for many
years to come — and I am forever grateful for their
partnership.”
“Not only does today’s ceremony demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment
to investing in Illinois’s agriculture, it also means more
opportunities for Illinois’s farmers, more good jobs in our
state and a continued economic relationship with Taiwan,” said
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. “I’m so proud to be a part of this
important investment in our great state and honored to witness
the signing of letters of intent between Illinois and Taiwan.
The Taiwanese stakeholders here today recognize what I’ve long
known: Illinois is a great place to do business—and I’ll
continue to spread the message.”
Governor Pritzker, Senator Tammy Duckworth, representatives of
the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, and the
Taiwanese Department of Agriculture signed the letters of intent
between the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean
Association, Taiwan Feed Industry Association, and the Taiwan
Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association. The letters commit to
the sale and purchase of between 96 million and 107 million
bushels of soybeans and 59 million bushels of corn, in addition
to other corn byproducts.
Taiwan and Illinois have a long history of trade and
agricultural partnership. Thirteen Taiwan Agricultural Trade
Goodwill Missions visited the US since 1998, resulting in the
exportation of 3.1 billion bushels of U.S. corn worth $13.8
billion and 1.5 billion bushels of U.S. soybeans worth $15.1
billion. The U.S. is a primary source of crop imports for
Taiwan, with Illinois ranking high among contributing states for
corn and soybean exports. Taiwan continues to rank as Illinois’
second leading corn trading partner and third leading partner in
purchases of soybeans.
“In Illinois, our agricultural industry is powered by
communities of skilled and passionate farmers, growers and
workers. This $2.6 billion-dollar deal is a testament to their
excellence, and it once again shows Illinois Ag is a driving
force making impacts far and wide," said Illinois Lt. Governor
Juliana Stratton. "This collaborative effort will not only
create jobs and generate revenue, but also inspire continued
growth for international trade here in Illinois. I often say
that Ag connects us all, and this is how it is done."
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“Since first participating in Soybean Trade Missions in 1978,
Taiwan has established itself as an important trading partner
with the State of Illinois and its number one industry,” said
Jerry Costello, Director of the Illinois Department of
Agriculture. “Our trade relationship has only grown since, with
Taiwan being our number two trading partner for corn and number
three trading partner for soybeans. This partnership helps to
keep Illinois as the top producer of soybeans in the US and the
number two producer of corn. We look forward to working with
Taiwan for years to come.”
“Illinois corn farmers place a high priority on building
mutually beneficial relationships and nurturing existing
relationships with international customers of U.S. corn. Taiwan
is a reliable buyer of U.S. corn and dried distillers grains
with solubles; they are the eighth largest export market for
U.S. corn and the 12th largest buyer of DDGS. We appreciate the
opportunity to thank them for the relationship built and prepare
for future years of profitable trade,” said Mark Wilson,
immediate past chairman and farmer.
“Trade is vital to Illinois’ 43,000 soybean producers with
roughly 60 percent of the nearly 672 million bushels of the
soybeans grown in Illinois being exported, resulting in an
estimated $4-5 billion in value,” said ISG Chairman, Steve
Pitstick. “We are grateful for the unique relationship between
Illinois soybean farmers and Taiwan and are looking forward to
working together to support world trade.”
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker]
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