Nebraska Wheat Board Vice Chairwoman Expands Trade Ties in Asia

Nebraska Wheat Board Vice Chairwoman Mary Eisenzimmer recently returned from a trade mission to Asia, where she met with industry leaders and government officials in Japan and the Philippines. The trip, which took place July 26-30, aimed to strengthen relationships with key international customers and create new opportunities for Nebraska's agriculture industry.

Eisenzimmer toured Kinki Flour Milling Company in Osaka, Japan, alongside Governor Jim Pillen and representatives from the U.S. Wheat Associates. She met with Rick Nakano of the U.S. Wheat Associates Tokyo office to discuss expanding Nebraska wheat exports to Japan and strengthening existing trade relationships.

In the Philippines, Eisenzimmer connected with grain buyers from San Miguel Corporation, one of the country's largest food distributors. San Miguel purchases wheat from the U.S. and retails flour to grocery stores and bakeries. The company is interested in purchasing more hard red winter wheat because breads and noodles are a daily staple in the Filipino diet.

Eisenzimmer also toured the U.S. Embassy in Manila and met with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton and members of his cabinet to discuss the country's economy and future trade opportunities. The delegation attended the World Food Expo, where they participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the new USDA booth.