A team of five U.S. wheat farmers, including Kansas producer Chris Tanner, traveled to South Korea in March as part of a U.S. Wheat Associates board mission to better understand how U.S. wheat performs in key export markets.
South Korea is a premium, quality-driven customer, importing a significant share of its food supply while increasing wheat consumption through a growing bakery and noodle market. The United States holds about 47% of Korea’s milling wheat market, with 1.85 million metric tons purchased as of March 2026.
The team explored a premium food hall and an economical E-mart, observing how U.S. wheat is used in products ranging from instant noodles to desserts and fast food pop-ups.
They also visited the Korea Baking School (KBS), founded in 1972 and supported by U.S. Wheat since its inception. The school trains about 300 graduates annually, offering courses from three months to one year. The team met students, including aspiring American bakers aiming to open Korean-style bakeries in the U.S.
“Seeing the legacy that U.S. Wheat has had there, I was proud to see the equipment and donations our checkoff dollars have made possible,” said Tanner, who also serves as treasurer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.
North Dakota farmer Glendon Slaubaugh reflected on the complex logistics and relationships needed to keep wheat moving from U.S. farms to Korean markets.
The team’s mission continues with a visit to Taiwan.
