Governor Greg Gianforte on Monday welcomed a delegation from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) to Montana for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens the state’s long-standing trade relationship with Taiwan.
“For over forty years, Montana and Taiwan have enjoyed a truly remarkable friendship and trade relationship, built on a shared commitment to quality and mutual respect,” Gianforte said. “We’re continuing to create an environment where our farmers and ranchers can thrive, and signing this agreement underscores our commitment to our producers and ensures Montana’s world-class wheat continues to feed the world.”
Under the agreement, Taiwan’s wheat buyers pledged to purchase 3.6 million metric tons of Montana wheat—valued at $1.3 billion—between 2026 and 2029.
The biannual goodwill mission from Taiwan has taken place since 1978 and is considered critical to Montana’s agricultural economy. Taiwan is a major buyer of U.S. wheat, purchasing about 1.1 million metric tons annually. Over the last decade, shipments to Taiwan, primarily Hard Red Winter and Hard Red Spring wheat, have accounted for 21.5 percent of Montana’s yearly wheat production.
“Montana has long been at the forefront of this partnership. Taiwan is one of the most important consumers of Montana’s products, importing over $100 million worth of goods annually—about half of which comes from agricultural products, primarily wheat and beef,” said May Lin, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle.
To expand Montana’s reach in Asian markets, Gianforte and the legislature established a trade office in Taipei in 2022. The office actively supports Montana businesses, and in 2023 the governor led a trade mission to Taiwan with representatives from the state’s agricultural, manufacturing, photonics, and bioscience industries.
By: DNU staff