Hosting the South American Technical Team

Recently, the North Dakota Wheat Commission welcomed a group of wheat buyers and milling experts from Chile to North Dakota. A visit that could open real doors for HRS wheat in South America.

The group came from the G9 Group, Chile's largest milling organization, which buys wheat on behalf of eight member mills. Their goal was to get a closer look at Hard Red Spring (HRS) wheat. They wanted to learn about how it's grown, what makes it special, and whether it can help their mills produce better flour.

Chile Isn't Your Typical HRS Buyer - But That's Changing

Chile leads all of South America in bread consumption, at 85 kg per person each year. Their mills blend wheat from several countries, including domestic production, Argentina, Canada, and the U.S. They primarily use high-protein HRS to boost the quality of lower-protein supplies.

Historically, Chile hasn't been a big buyer of U.S. HRS. But that's starting to shift. In 2025–26, Chile imported about 2.5 million bushels of HRS. There's real potential to grow that number — and visits like this one are exactly how that happens.

What the Delegation Saw In North Dakota

The team spent time learning about HRS from the ground up. Here's a look at what made this visit so valuable:

• Research That Speaks for Itself: The group met with Dr. Shahidul Islam at NDSU, who walked them through hands-on demonstrations showing how blending HRS improves flour performance. Seeing the data in action — not just on paper — made a strong impression.

• A Look at the Breeding Program: The delegation got an inside look at NDSU's spring wheat breeding program, learning from Dr. Andrew Green on how varieties are developed to meet specific customer needs around the world. That kind of commitment to quality resonates with buyers.

• Understanding production and price outlook:  NDWC staff presented an update on the current HRS crop situation and production and price outlook. We also provided detailed information on what makes HRS unique and how contract specifications beyond just grading factors can help ensure customers receive the quality of wheat they need.

• A Tour of the Northern Crops Institute: Casey Peterson gave the group firsthand insight into the NCI facilities and technical capabilities, as well as introducing them to course offerings in procurement and technical training.

• Time with the People Behind the Crop: One of the highlights of any trade visit is the direct conversation between millers and farmers. The Chilean team valued getting a chance to share a meal with a few of the NDWC board members, learning about their farming operations, and the care that goes into growing our crops. Those conversations are the ones that build the kind of trust that keeps buyers coming back year after year.

Why These Visits Matter

Chile's mills are sourcing wheat from all over the world. When they're deciding where to buy, quality and reliability matter — but so does confidence. Coming to North Dakota and seeing the research, meeting the experts, and asking their own questions gives buyers something they can't get from a spec sheet.

The group left with a much deeper understanding of what HRS wheat is, where it comes from, and how it can work in their mills. That kind of knowledge builds confidence in buyers who keep coming back.