Taiwan Signs Multi-Billion Dollar Deal for U.S. Corn and Byproducts
Taiwan has pledged over $2 billion for U.S. corn and byproducts between 2026 and 2029, reinforcing long-term trade ties and boosting export prospects.
In a high-profile move to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan agricultural ties, the Taiwan Feed Industry Association has formally committed to purchasing 7.5 million metric tons of U.S. corn and 1 million metric tons of corn byproducts over the period 2026 to 2029, under a letter of intent (LOI) signed during the biennial Taiwan Agricultural Goodwill Mission.
The LOI, inked between Taiwan's top feed sector stakeholders and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), signals an expected import volume valued at more than $2billion in total. The agreement builds on nearly three decades of agricultural diplomacy between the two markets and offers fresh momentum for U.S. exporters.
"The Taiwan Goodwill Mission ... has played a significant role in strengthening U.S. market presence in Taiwan and maintaining it as a top-10 export market for U.S. farmers," said Michael Lu, the USGBC's director in Taiwan. In his remarks, Lu underscored the long-term confidence Taiwan buyers place in the quality, consistency, and reliability of U.S. feed grains, even amid growing competition from alternative origins.
US Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Past Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri (front, second from right) recently signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, signifying its intent to purchase more than $2 billion of US corn and corn co-products between 2026 and 2029.
The mission schedule included strategic meetings in Washington with U.S. lawmakers, agriculture associations, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), highlighting how trade and policy objectives intertwine in shaping export opportunities. After those engagements, the delegation split into specialized groups to tour key U.S. corn-producing states, including Arkansas, Ohio, and Indiana, to engage firsthand with producers and understand supply chain operations.
"The Taiwanese market has a preference for the quality and reliability of U.S. feed grains," Lu added, "but in the face of increased competition from other origins, this program is as valuable as ever to U.S. producers." He expressed optimism that the LOIs would catalyze further collaboration and open doors to expanded relationships with decision-makers in Taiwan's feed and livestock sectors.
As U.S. farmers and industry groups assess the implications, the agreement offers promise for greater export demand over the coming years, helping to solidify the U.S. standing in Asia's feed and livestock markets.
