Japanese delegation meets US farmers to address soybean admixture in wheat

Japan and the United States share a long-standing partnership in wheat trade built on trust and consistent quality. Japan remains one of the largest and most loyal markets for U.S. wheat, importing roughly half of its total wheat needs from the United States. At the same time, Japanese buyers closely monitor quality issues, including the unintended presence of soybeans in wheat shipments.

In mid-December, a delegation from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), together with representatives of the Japanese Flour Millers Association (JFMA), visited the U.S. West Coast. The visit aimed to strengthen the supply chain and ensure continued deliveries of stable, high-quality wheat to the Japanese market.

Japanese officials raised concerns about soybean admixture in wheat shipments, which can occur unintentionally due to shared farm equipment, storage facilities, or transportation systems used for multiple commodities. While all U.S. wheat shipments to Japan meet strict contract specifications and are inspected by the USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service as well as independent laboratories, soybean admixture is a sensitive issue because soybeans are a major allergen for Japanese consumers.

During meetings with wheat commissions, farmers, and grain companies from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota, participants discussed measures to further reduce admixture risks. These included improving information flow to producers and country elevators that handle both wheat and soybeans, as well as reinforcing best practices across the supply chain.

Following the discussions, the delegation toured an export elevator loading grain bound for Japan, gaining firsthand insight into U.S. grain-handling operations. Both sides agreed to continue dialogue after the visit, emphasizing that cooperation, transparency, and mutual understanding are essential to maintaining strong trade relations and consistently delivering high-quality U.S. wheat to Japan.

Tags: soybean, wheat, USA, Japan