Ecuador Team Explores Wheat Farming in Idaho and Oklahoma
A group of four Ecuadorian wheat buyers and millers recently visited wheat farms in Idaho and Oklahoma to learn more about how wheat is grown and exported in the United States. The tour was organized by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and supported by the USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), with help from local wheat commissions.
In Idaho, the group visited irrigated soft white (SW) wheat fields. They met with Idaho Wheat Commissioner Wayne Hurst and USW Past Chairman Clark Hamilton, who shared details about irrigation, growing seasons, and farm operations. Hamilton highlighted the importance of building strong relationships between farmers and international customers.
The team traveled to Oklahoma where they joined USW Past Chairman Michael Peters during the final days of the hard red winter (HRW) wheat harvest. Peters helped explain the entire growing and harvest process and answered questions about the U.S. grain supply system, export logistics, and quality assurance.
The goal of the mission was to give Ecuadorian buyers a full understanding of U.S. wheat—from research to fieldwork to export. Their visit included stops at university research centers, agronomy stations, grain elevators, and shuttle-loading facilities.
Ecuador’s wheat needs are rising fast. In 2024/25, the country increased imports of U.S. wheat to over 380,000 metric tons, up from just 600,000 metric tons in 2015. Most of this wheat is used for human food and animal feed, especially in the shrimp and poultry industries.
As Ecuador’s demand continues to grow, visits like this help strengthen trade and trust. One USW leader shared, “Personal connections between farmers and customers matter, whether it’s in the mill or in the field.”