Japanese Millers Assess US Pacific Northwest Wheat Crop

A delegation of Japanese millers recently visited the US Pacific Northwest to assess this year's wheat crop. Organized by US Wheat Associates, in partnership with the Washington Grain Commission and Oregon Wheat Commission, the tour aimed to provide a direct exposure to the 2026 wheat crop and the supply chain that carries it from fields to overseas buyers.

The team, comprising representatives experienced in quality control, baking, cereal science, and milling, visited farms, met with growers and elevators, and toured the USDA Agricultural Research Service Western Wheat Quality Laboratory in Pullman. This lab is where wheat quality testing and research take place.

Washington was the first stop for the team, offering a closer view of this year's harvest conditions as well as inland transportation and handling processes in key Pacific Northwest growing areas. From there, they traveled to Portland, Oregon, to complete their trade mission. Briefings with the Wheat Marketing Center and US Wheat provided both market and technical perspectives, while visits to an export terminal and the Overseas Merchandise Inspection Company highlighted the export logistics and inspection systems that verify all wheat is inspected and loaded according to contract specifications.