Korean Flour Millers Visit U.S.

U.S. Wheat Associates and several member states are hosting a trade delegation representing the Korean Flour Mills Industrial Association (KOFMIA), which will be visiting the U.S. this spring to develop stronger relations between the private Korean mills and the U.S. wheat industry.

USW welcomed the news, as it comes at a time when global media are showing virulent anti-American demonstrations, even in the streets of Seoul. The trip is a solid affirmation of the importance of strong relationships among the worldwide wheat and milling industries during difficult times, and it especially highlights the deep friendship between the American wheat industry and KOFMIA.

The U.S. wheat relationship with Korea is long one. In 1945, there were only four flour mills in the south part of Korea, and they were completely destroyed during the Korean War. As one mill was rebuilt in 1953, and another in 1954, the U.S. government and wheat industry were there to help. Indeed, the very first shipment of PL 480 wheat donation was to South Korea, in 1956.

The South Korean wheat market is now one of the most sophisticated in the world, and the U.S. is proud to supply over a million tons of wheat to Korea every year.

The Korean millers group will be visiting Oregon, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington, D.C., where they will be meeting with industry representatives and government officials, at the end of April and the beginning of May, to discuss the further strengthening of market relations. They will be accompanied by Won Bang Koh, USW country director, who has worked in Seoul for 11 years on behalf of American wheat producers.