RP remains good market for US wheat, says Tungeln

The Philippines will continue to be an excellent, but very competitive market for American wheat producers, according to Henry Jo Von Tungeln, chairman of the board of directors of US Wheat Associates (USW).

Von Tungeln, who visited Manila last week with several other USW officials, said the Philippines is expected to import more than 3.1 million metric tons (MMTS) of wheat in the current calendar year, with the US supplying over 66 percent of total imports. Last year, the Philippines imported 3.1 MMTS with the US capturing 64 percent of the total. Other RP sources of wheat are Canada, Australia and more recently, subsidized exports from India.

The US wheat industry expects that the continued quality demand by Philippine bakers and consumers will ensure that the two countries will continue to be excellent trading and market development partners, Von Tungeln said.

Von Tungeln was in the Philippines to thank Filipino buyers from the wheat and flour processing industry for their business and to highlight the role of the US as a reliable producer and supplier of a wide range of quality wheats.

He said that the "long term programs of technical and market assistance offered to the Philippine wheat millers, flour distributors and processors conducted by US Wheat Associates, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture, has played an important role in developing this market for our producers."

USW is the export market development organization representing the US wheat industry. The organization has maintained a Manila office since 1962.

USW does not buy, sell or process wheat. Its resources are devoted exclusively to export market development, with activities performed in the US providing support for the work carried out by USW offices around the world.