From market growth to leadership at the national level: What it means for Washington growers
Across global markets, competition for grain has never been more intense. At the same time, Washington producers are navigating rising input costs, labor pressures, and increasingly complex regulatory environments. In moments like these, it’s easy to focus only on what feels uncertain.
But recent developments across wheat and barley offer a different perspective: momentum is building in key markets, sustainability credentials are strengthening, and investments in market development continue to deliver real value for growers. Many of the developments highlighted here were originally reported by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and partner organizations, whose ongoing work provides much of the foundation for these market successes.
While the Washington Grain Commission (WGC) is not directly responsible for every one of these wins, each success strengthens the broader demand environment Washington depends on. Together, they highlight why long-term market development, quality validation, and strong international relationships remain critical.
Bangladesh emerges as a major growth market for U.S. wheat
One of the most tangible successes this year comes from South Asia.
In January, U.S. wheat shipments arrived at Bangladesh’s main port in Chattogram as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in mid-2025 between USW and the government of Bangladesh. The agreement commits Bangladesh to purchase up to 700,000 metric tons (MT) of U.S. wheat annually for five years.
So far, Bangladesh has already purchased nearly 675,000 MT in the 2025-26 marketing year, vaulting the country into the top 10 export markets for U.S. wheat.
Importantly for Washington, these shipments included significant volumes of soft white wheat shipped from Pacific Northwest ports, alongside hard red winter wheat from Gulf ports. One vessel alone carried more than 57,000 MT, and multiple shipments departed the U.S. in December.
Beyond the tonnage, this development represents something bigger: a shift from Bangladesh being a swing buyer to becoming a long-term partner focused on quality, reliability, and food security. USW staff are now working directly with Bangladeshi millers and bakers to help them maximize value from U.S. wheat through technical support and hands-on training.
For Washington growers, this kind of engagement matters. Sales are rarely secured on price alone. Long-term demand is built through performance in end-use applications, customer trust, and consistent quality, areas where soft white continues to stand out.
Building capacity in fast-growing regions
Supporting this type of growth requires boots on the ground. Earlier this year, USW announced several strategic staff promotions and additions across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. These moves expand technical expertise and market development capacity in regions where wheat consumption is rising quickly.
Of particular note for Washington is the promotion of Joe Bippert — formerly of the WGC and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) — to regional director for South and Southeast Asia. Many Washingtongrowers know Bippert well, and his new role places familiar leadership directly in one of the world’s most dynamic wheat markets.
These staffing investments ensure that U.S. wheat customers receive consistent technical support while strengthening relationships with millers, bakers, and government partners abroad. For growers, this translates into stronger demand foundations and better positioning against global competitors.
Federal market development funding reinforces export infrastructure
Behind every overseas success story is a less visible but essential component: funding.
In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced more than $212 million in Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funding for 2026. These programs match farmer checkoff dollars with federal resources to support export promotion, technical assistance, and trade barrier removal.
State wheat commissions, including Washington, contribute checkoff funds that help unlock these federal dollars through USW. This public-private partnership has powered decades of market development work, from baking seminars and noodle schools to regulator engagement and customer training.
While MAP and FMD may not generate headlines like ship arrivals, they provide the backbone that makes those shipments possible.
Washington leadership at the national level
Washington’s influence also continues through farmer leadership. At its January board meeting, USW elected its 2026-27 officer team, with WGC Commissioner Mike Carstensen moving into the role of vice chairman. Carstensen has previously served as treasurer, vice chair, and chair at the state level and now helps guide the national export strategy.
Strong grower leadership ensures USW’s priorities stay grounded in production realities while addressing the needs of global customers, an important bridge between farm gate and foreign market.
Barley sustainability data strengthens market confidence
Sustainability continues to shape purchasing decisions worldwide, and U.S. barley producers recently took a major step forward.
The American Malting Barley Association released the first emissions baseline report for U.S. barley, verified with real farm data from 33 operations across primary growing regions. The study confirmed the crop’s environmental performance while identifying opportunities for further improvement, particularly around nitrogen fertilizer use and irrigation energy.
The project gives maltsters and brewers credible, farmer-sourced data to support their own climate goals and provides producers with tools to track progress over time. For Washington barley growers, this type of validation helps protect access to premium markets and reinforces the sustainability story behind U.S. grain.
Why these wins matter now
These developments come as Washington agriculture faces serious headwinds. A newly released baseline assessment from the WSDA, “Washington Agriculture at a Crossroads: A Baseline Assessment of Agricultural Viability,” underscores rising production costs, shrinking margins, labor shortages, and increasing pressure on farmland statewide. Against that backdrop, every new market, expanded relationship, and technical breakthrough matters.
Demand doesn’t grow by accident. It’s built through long-term investment in people, partnerships, research, and trust, often years before a single bushel is sold.
For Washington growers, these recent wins reinforce the value of continued market development and the importance of staying competitive in a crowded global marketplace. They also highlight how collaboration across state commissions, national organizations, federal agencies, and industry partners works together to turn opportunity into results.
The work is ongoing. But momentum is real, and Washington wheat and barley remain well positioned to benefit.
This article originally appeared in the March 2026 issue of Wheat Life Magazine.
Jake Liening
Market Development Manager, Washington Grain Commission