Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Taiwan Delegation Sign Formal Agreement to Expand Business Opportunities

Contact: Heather Throne 517-284-5725
Agency: Agriculture and Rural Development

September 16, 2013

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) hosted the Agriculture Trade Goodwill Mission from Taiwan today in Lansing. The goal of the delegation was to learn more about Michigan soybean and corn production along with agreeing upon a shared commitment to foster mutual understanding and trade relations between Michigan and Taiwan.

“I am excited for this new partnership between Michigan and Taiwan,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. “This provides a great opportunity for our Michigan corn and soybean growers and processors to forge new relationships and expand their export opportunities in the Taiwan market.”

State Senator Joe Hune and MDARD Director Clover Adams attended the Michigan-Taiwan Soybean and Corn Signing Ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Lansing as witnesses to the bilateral trade commitment between the Michigan Corn Marketing Program and the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, as well as the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association.

“It is an honor that our friends from Taiwan join us in hopes of doing business in Michigan. I believe that only good can come of an agricultural partnership between our great state and Taiwan,” Hune said.  “By promoting Michigan agricultural commodities, we could possibly see an economic boom in agri-business as Taiwan intends to spend billions in the United States over the next couple years.”

The Taiwanese delegation also spent the earlier portion of their day visiting a farm in Livingston County, and touring Michigan State University’s Crop & Soil Science Farm to learn more about corn and soybean production in Michigan.

“The Taiwan Feed Industry Association, under Chairman Yeh-Lin Chan, expressed its intent to purchase nearly $1.83 billion of corn and corn co-products from the U.S in the next two years. In response to this momentous agreement, the Michigan Corn Growers feel honored to participate in this event and build the relationship with our Taiwanese trading partners,” said Jim Zook, Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Marketing Program. 

To foster this developing relationship, the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association anticipates the purchase of nearly $1.68 billion of U.S. soybeans in 2014 and 2015. 

“The Michigan soybean industry is looking forward to beginning a relationship with the Taiwan government. By working together, we can build a better understanding of each other’s culture, and learn from one another to grow a strong agriculture industry for Taiwan and Michigan,” said Gail Frahm, Executive Director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.

For more information about export opportunities, please contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD International Marketing Program Manager, 517-284-5738 zmitkoj@michigan.gov or visit www.michigan.gov/agexport, www.facebook.com/miagexport or Twitter @MiAgExport.