Japanese scholars explore the heart of Washington agriculture with WSDA

Daniel Schafer
Communications

Students practice apple inspection.

Students from Tokyo University of Agriculture visited Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in Olympia on September 20th. The group of 23 students and two professors learned about Washington agriculture and WSDA’s work to connect Washington-grown products with the world.

Apples and international trade

The day kicked off with an engaging session led by Rianne Ham, the agency’s International Marketing Program manager. Ham spoke to students about WSDA’s international marketing efforts as well as Washington’s key international trading partners.

Inspection supervisor Olivier Silva.

Next, the visitors had the opportunity to learn about one of Washington’s most famous crops — apples. To begin, students and professors sampled several varieties, including Granny Smith, Fuji, Rockit, and more.

In addition to plenty of apple sampling, students had a hands-on lesson on how WSDA helps ensure the quality of its apple crops. Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Supervisor Olivier Silva taught students how to look for imperfections and damage on apples, and explained the process that apples are required to go through before leaving the processing facility.

Lessons in grain inspection

The Olympia visit concluded with WSDA’s Grain Inspection Program Manager Philip Garcia teaching students and faculty about grain inspection. Students received a hands-on lesson on gathering samples, spotting imperfections, and more. Following these demonstrations, Garcia also conducted a thorough question and answer session where students learned more about Washington’s export process and the wide variety of foods that are produced across our diverse state.

Students work with Grain Inspection Program Manger Phil Garcia to practice grain inspection.

A statewide tour

But the visit went far beyond the classroom. In addition to lessons held in the WSDA offices, the group from Tokyo University of Agriculture traveled to the Yakima Valley where they toured one of the orchards run by Allan Brothers Fruit. Our visitors then followed the course of the apples to an Allan Brothers packing facility in Yakima where they learned about food and safety guidelines at the facility, following the sorting, sizing, and packing process from start to finish.

During the tour and observation, WSDA fruit and vegetable inspectors Jose Briseno and Colton Denton performed quality control inspections, explaining the process to the group. Briseno and Denton also explained how inspections for exports to different countries require different plans.

Jose Briseno and Colton Denton demonstrate quality control inspections.

A successful visit

After their five-day journey, the students and professors from Tokyo University of Agriculture returned home equipped with valuable knowledge about Washington State agriculture. One student, Kazuma Matsuo, shared that he was surprised and impressed by the large scale of Washington’s apple production after visiting Yakima. Meanwhile, Professor Masao Takayanagi, who was the faculty member leading the trip, shared that he and his students were pleased with the experience, saying “The visit was very stimulating, and [students learned] a lot about what is happening in agriculture in Washington.”

Capturing a taste of Washington

Chris McGann
Communications

Taiwanese buyers snap photos of the popcorn candy coating
 process at a Seattle-area factory. After sampling the gamut
 of flavors, truffle was a surprise standout!

WSDA is always busy looking for ways to expand markets for Washington producers. Our International Marketing Program helps facilitate buyer-seller connections, delivers resources and continually advocates for global market access.

Recently, the program joined forces with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association to connect Taiwanese buyers with 17 Northwest suppliers.

After a whirlwind of face-to-face, buyer-seller meetings - more than 80 on the first day - the buyer group struck out on day two to see where the magic happens at three Seattle-area facilities. They visited Seattle Popcorn Company (Uncle Woody’s Popcorn);  AMES International (chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, nuts, and cookies); and SuperValu International (product consolidation/private label brands).

WSDA International Marketing Program Trade Specialist Elisa Daun organized the mission.

“Connecting professional buyers with Washington companies is a great opportunity,” Daun said. “These missions showcase the abundance of quality products available in our state and can be invaluable for producers trying to reach overseas markets.”

In 2017, Taiwan imported more than $264 million worth of Washington's agricultural and food products. The top five products were:

1. Apples ($72 million)
2. Frozen French Fries ($53 million)
3. Sweet Cherries ($41 million)
4. Frozen/Chilled Beef ($18 million)
5. White Wheat ($16 million)

The International Marketing Program is working to help position Washington companies to export their products efficiently and profitably, while promoting our state’s consistent high quality, diversity of offerings, and high standard for food safety and handling.

Washington’s major crops and commodities have trade associations for promotion. The WSDA International Marketing Program helps bridge the gap for smaller suppliers, many of whom sell processed or packaged goods. The buyers can meet the operators, tour facilities and get a better sense of the quality of products and companies they will be working with.

For more information about upcoming international marketing events and activities, check out this WSDA calendar.

Promoting Washington agriculture overseas

Hector Castro

Communications Office

In a small sandwich shop on a narrow Tokyo street, the cashiers and servers now sport T-shirts that say “I love Washington fries,” mementos of a recent afternoon when a few visitors dropped by to share some spuds with surprised customers expecting nothing more than a sandwich.

Gov. Jay Inslee hands out free fries in Tokyo.

The visitors included Gov. Jay Inslee, WSDA Director Derek Sandison, and members of the state’s Potato Commission, all in Tokyo as part of a 9-day trade mission that wrapped up Sept.5. The Governor-led trade mission made visits to Seoul, South Korea, Kobe, Japan and Tokyo. While other industries were also being promoted, the ag delegation focused on blueberries, potatoes, and wine.

Korea and Japan are important countries for Washington agriculture. Japan is the state’s leading market for agricultural exports and Korea the 5^th largest market. Led by Director Sandison, the ag delegates visited the leaders of several key businesses in both countries that import or process Washington agricultural products for local consumers, expressing their appreciation for the trade that is already taking place and interest in greater trade to come.

Again and again, delegates heard the value that consumers place on Washington agricultural products, from the cherries that fly off the shelves of the busy Costco Korea when they’re in season, to the chipping potatoes that can’t keep up with demand of Japanese potato chip processors. Delegates also gleaned information that can help inform marketing decisions later. 

Honey butter chips, a popular
Korean snackfood.

One example, consumers in Korea were recently in a frenzy for a potato chip company's  honey butter flavored chips, with lines for the chips so long, some stores placed two-bag limits on customers. The craze has increased demand for chipping potatoes as competing companies looked for their own flavor angle, and this boost in demand could spell benefits for Washington potatoes in the future. 

The team also met with government officials in both countries to raise market access issues. For blueberries, the goal was pressing for access to South Korea. Fresh Oregon blueberries were allowed into the country beginning in 2012, but Washington is still waiting for similar access.

Frozen blueberries, Costco Korea

In Japan, Washington potatoes are permitted only for part of the year. Washington potato farmers, as well as food processors in Japan, would like year-round access for our spuds.

Dancers at a reception for the
Washington State delegation

Government led trade missions can open doors for delegates that might not be available to them otherwise, providing them a chance to raise trade concerns at the highest levels. The trips also provide opportunities for potential buyers to meet producers and importers, making the kinds of connections that can translate into lucrative business relationships later.

Washington exports about 30 percent of its agricultural products, so keeping markets open and importers happy is important. Trade missions can be an important way to do this. You can track future trade missions, and visits from our overseas customers, at the WSDA International Marketing Program webpage, where all such events are listed.