I-CAL - Day 8 - Taiwan

Our group traveled two hours out of Taipei, Taiwan this morning to tour Taichung Port. Along the way we stopped to try some Taiwanese treats at the rest stop. We were surprised to see that Taiwanese rest stops not only offer toilets, but also a wide range of food, beverages, and souvenirs for purchase. We were briefed on the Eastern Media International (EMI) Corporation’s business activities in Taiwan and all throughout Asia. EMI is the only grain shipping company in Taiwan, and they import 8.2 million tons per year. Ninety-two percent of corn, two-thirds of soybeans and almost all of the wheat used in Taiwan are imported from the U.S. After viewing a Panamex ship unloading at the port we enjoyed a seafood lunch.

We stopped at one of the many rice paddy fields on our way to Fwusow Industry Company feed milling plant. At Fwusow we met with Yau-Kuen Hung, Chairman and CEO of the company. He shared with us that Fwusow is involved in numerous enterprises including pet and animal feeds, edible oils and foods for human consumption. As we toured the plant we were able to see fresh dog and cat food as well as broiler feed shaped into pellets and bagged. We were also able to see the central control rooms that operation the feed mill.

Back in Taipei, the I-CAL team enjoyed a Mongolian BBQ dinner with U.S. Grains Council staff and other key Taiwanese agriculture officials and experts. We also celebrated Adam's birthday with a huge cake topped with fresh fruit! After dinner we stopped to sing our hearts out with karaoke for a few hours. We look forward to tomorrow when we are able to meet with staff from National Taiwan University, Taiwan Feed Industry Association and the China Grain Products Research and Development Institute.

Caitlin Kasper – University of Minnesota
Devin Burton – University of Wyoming