Photo credit: U.S. Wheat Associates.
South Korea remains one of the most valued customers for U.S. wheat, ranking as the fourth-largest buyer through the first part of the 2026-27 marketing year.
South Korea has imported 141,000 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter wheat, equivalent to 5.18 million bushels, along with 228,000 metric tons, or 8.38 million bushels, of hard red spring wheat. The country also imported 337,000 metric tons, or nearly 12.4 million bushels, of soft white wheat.
U.S. Wheat Associates recently welcomed the Korea Crop Survey Team to the Pacific Northwest as part of an annual program designed to give Korean wheat industry professionals a firsthand look at the U.S. wheat supply chain.
The delegation included representatives from flour milling, baking and confectionery, instant noodle production, grain merchandising and ocean freight. The program provided an opportunity to examine export facilities, quality testing and pesticide residue laboratories while learning more about the factors contributing to the quality and consistency of U.S. wheat.
The tour began in Portland, Oregon, at the end of the U.S. wheat supply chain. The delegation visited the Wheat Marketing Center, where participants learned about quality testing conducted on new-crop soft white wheat. The testing data is combined with end-product evaluations and incorporated into the annual U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report, which is distributed to wheat buyers worldwide.
The group also toured Export Grain Terminal LLC, an export facility in the Pacific Northwest. Delegates learned how the facility handles and loads wheat shipments for international customers.
Local grain merchandisers also provided an overview of market conditions and harvest progress across the region. With the Pacific Northwest wheat harvest underway, the information provides Korean customers with insight as they prepare for future purchases.
The delegation also met with industry leaders and farmer representatives during a dinner hosted by the U.S. Wheat Associates West Coast Office and the Oregon Wheat Commission.
After completing the Portland portion of the program, the team traveled to Spokane, Washington, where participants continued examining the origins of the wheat they purchase. The group toured country elevator facilities to learn how wheat is collected, stored and transported from farms to export terminals.
The annual crop survey program is intended to strengthen the relationship between the Korean and U.S. wheat industries by giving customers a closer look at the people, facilities and processes involved in producing and delivering U.S. wheat.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "Seeing Quality Firsthand: Korea’s Crop Survey Team Visits the Pacific Northwest"