Photo credit: U.S. Wheat Associates.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers mission to Argentina and Ecuador in early June, highlighting efforts to strengthen trade relationships and expand market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers.
Led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, the mission focused on improving market access across South America through industry tours, business meetings and discussions with government officials.
Staff from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service coordinated the mission, joined by Agricultural Attaché Robert Tuebner and Agricultural Counselor Anthony Gilbert. U.S. Wheat Associates participated alongside other agricultural cooperators, with Brian Liedl, vice president of overseas operations, and Miguel Galdos, regional director for South America, representing the organization.
For U.S. wheat producers, the mission highlighted Ecuador’s growing importance as an export destination. While Argentina remains a competitor in global wheat markets, Ecuador has become a rising buyer of U.S. wheat, particularly soft red winter varieties.
Ecuador ranked as the second-largest importer of U.S. soft red winter wheat for the 2025-26 marketing year, purchasing more than 420,000 metric tons, or 15.4 million bushels. The country also imported smaller volumes of hard red winter wheat.
USW officials said Ecuador’s demand is being driven by growth in both the milling and aquaculture sectors, creating opportunities for U.S. farmers to expand sales.
A key stop during the mission was a visit to the Grupo Superior biscuit plant, where delegates observed U.S. wheat being processed into cookies and crackers for domestic and export markets. The company uses nearly all U.S. soft red winter wheat in its production and consumes about 60,000 metric tons annually, equal to roughly 2.2 million bushels.
Before the formal mission began, USW representatives also met with customers in Guayaquil, Ecuador, holding technical and trade discussions with stakeholders in aquaculture, milling and food processing.
Those meetings revealed strong interest among Ecuadorian buyers in increasing U.S. wheat imports, particularly if ongoing logistical and import licensing issues can be addressed.
USW said the mission reinforced long-standing relationships with Ecuadorian customers while identifying opportunities for additional market growth. The organization also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to address regulatory, technical and transportation challenges that could affect future trade.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "U.S. Wheat Joins USDA TRUMP Mission to Ecuador"