Indiana farmers are welcoming a major international trade agreement after Taiwan pledged to buy $6 billion worth of U.S. corn and soybeans over the next four years. The deal, signed at the Indiana Statehouse, is expected to reinforce a longstanding agricultural partnership that dates back to the 1970s.
The agreement includes a pledge to purchase $2 billion in corn and corn products, along with $4 billion in soybeans. For Indiana growers, who have been central to U.S. agricultural exports to Taiwan, the deal represents both economic opportunity and recognition of their role in supplying high-quality crops to global markets.
Decades of Partnership with Indiana
Indiana has been at the heart of this bilateral trade relationship for nearly 50 years. As Taiwan’s very first sister state, the Hoosier State has consistently exported corn, soybeans, wheat, and other agricultural products. The ties have grown not only in terms of trade volumes but also in agricultural cooperation, sustainability practices, and cultural exchanges.
Taiwanese delegates visiting Indiana this month toured local farms and engaged with producers directly to learn more about their conservation and sustainability methods. “With having the Taiwan delegation come to Indiana, it allowed us to have conversations so they could ask us questions about our farms,” said Denise Scarborough, chairman of the Indiana Soybean Alliance. “One of the best things they talked about was the consistent quality products that they are able to get from the United States imported into their country.”
Farmers See Benefits Amid Surplus
Scarborough, who along with her husband operates a third-generation farm in LaCrosse, Indiana, signed the letter of intent alongside Indiana Secretary of Agriculture Micah Beckwith. She noted that Taiwan has consistently ranked among the top 10 buyers of U.S. corn and soybeans.
“For us, that’s great. Anytime we can strengthen the relationship with somebody that’s already a top 10 purchaser from the United States of grains, that just kind of seals the deal and it makes us know that they are happy with the products that they are receiving,” Scarborough said.
When asked whether fulfilling the four-year purchase commitment might pose challenges for local growers, Scarborough was optimistic. “Obviously we have a surplus of grain right now, so any time we can move that pile, continue to have the conversations in building the new markets, new uses, any time we can continue to do that into the future, it’s a benefit for all farmers,” she explained.
Focus on Sustainability and Market Growth
During their visit, Taiwanese officials also focused on understanding the sustainability efforts of Indiana producers, highlighting conservation practices and long-term farming resilience. Scarborough credited Checkoff Dollars—a mandatory producer fee program used to promote soybeans and expand markets—for helping Indiana growers maintain direct connections with international buyers like Taiwan.
The nearly 50-year-old partnership underscores not only the importance of agricultural trade but also the role of trust and reliability in maintaining global supply chains. “One of the first relationships Taiwan signed was a letter of intent with Indiana many years ago,” Scarborough reflected. “That means that we have built a relationship inside and outside of agriculture in helping to build their economy and our economy by working together.”
The pledge takes effect immediately and is set to provide U.S. farmers with a steady export market, while supporting Taiwan’s food security and agricultural needs in the years ahead.
