Photo credit: U.S. Wheat Associates.
U.S. Wheat Associates brought together more than 140 representatives from 14 countries, including 12 U.S. wheat farmers, for the 2026 Latin American & Caribbean Buyers Conference in late July in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The conference connected farmers, exporters, importers, millers and other industry representatives as part of USW's more than 60-year effort to build regional partnerships and expand market opportunities for U.S. wheat.
The first day focused on supply and demand, price risk management, global trade flows and trade policy. A logistics and transportation panel addressed how U.S. wheat moves to market through the Columbia River, Mississippi River and U.S. rail system.
Another panel examined quality, performance and investment for five U.S. wheat classes. Representatives from the Kansas Wheat Commission, North Dakota Wheat Commission, Washington Grain Commission and Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association provided regional insights on hard red winter, hard red spring, durum, soft white and soft red winter wheat.
The second day covered milling key performance indicators related to financial performance, exporter insights, the freight market outlook and investment programs available to buyers.
USW President and CEO Mike Spier said the conference helps strengthen relationships among producers, customers, exporters and technical specialists.
Daniel Whitley, administrator of the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, opened the conference with remarks about innovations by U.S. wheat farmers and the country's ability to consistently supply high-quality wheat.
USW has organized the conference at two- or three-year intervals since 1994, rotating among locations in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. While the conference's purpose has remained focused on providing information and connections to increase market opportunities for U.S. wheat farmers, its participants have shifted over time.
Mitch Skalicky, USW regional vice president for Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Venezuela, said private-sector wheat importers, particularly flour milling companies, now make up the conference's primary audience.
Miguel Galdos, USW regional director for South America, said 24 milling companies from South America attended the conference. The event gave buyers an opportunity to learn about the U.S. wheat crop and marketing system while meeting directly with U.S. wheat farmers.
The conference also provided opportunities for participants from different markets to exchange information and explore potential business relationships. Galdos highlighted efforts to connect milling companies in Colombia and Ecuador to discuss opportunities for combination cargoes from the United States.
Sebastián Hoyos, who represented Colombian company Rafael del Castillo, said the company's relationship with USW provides access to crop quality information, educational opportunities and firsthand exposure to U.S. wheat production and transportation.
The conference concluded with participants taking away new business connections, strengthened relationships and additional information about U.S. wheat production and marketing. USW staff members from its five offices represented at the conference will continue working with customers throughout the region to develop opportunities for U.S. wheat exports.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "2026 USW Latin American & Caribbean Buyers Conference Focuses on Building Regional Partnerships"