A trade team of Venezuelan flour millers will be in North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Kansas this weekend learning about U.S wheat. Steve Mercer of U.S. Wheat Associates says they’re trying to educate the buyers about the high quality of U.S. spring wheat, durum and soft red winter wheat.

He says Venezuela has been a good customer for the U.S. wheat industry in the past, but some government changes and the higher U.S. dollar have made that market a challenge. Mercer says the best way to compete in those markets is to establish face to face relationships, which makes this trade mission very important.

Mercer says the money U.S. wheat producers provide through their checkoff program is a key to being able to keep and grow export markets.

Mercer says the U.S. is competing mostly with Mexico for the Venezuelan wheat market.