Bold claim: The USW’s ongoing alliance with Latin American millers is shaping the future of wheat consumption across the region, and this year’s ALIM assembly proves the strategy is working. For more than four decades, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has served as a bridge between U.S. wheat farmers and Latin American millers. A USW delegation recently reaffirmed and expanded these ties during the ALIM conference held in Cartagena, Colombia in late November 2025.
Mike Spier, USW president and CEO, who led the delegation, framed the relationship this way: “As one of the longest-standing sponsors, we’ve consistently supported the ALIM conference as an important event. The ALIM conference connects USW and U.S. wheat producers with Latin America’s milling industry. For 45 years, this partnership has built trust, shared expertise, and supported demand for all classes of U.S. wheat.”
The 2025 conference—November 23–26—assembled over 200 flour mills and more than 300 industry contacts from the region to deepen connections, review wheat-flour consumption trends, and tackle industry challenges. Colombian and Chilean mills, for instance, emphasized the need to improve consumer education about the health benefits of wheat foods to counter misinformation and raise per-capita consumption.
The USW team included Spier, Brian Liedl (USW vice president of overseas operations), Tyllor Ledford (USW market analyst), Jim Pellman (USW chairman from North Dakota), Mike Carstensen (USW secretary-treasurer from Washington), along with regional USW staff.
Spier highlighted the conference’s value: it reinforces the long-term commitment of U.S. wheat farmers to Latin American flour millers and provides a platform to demonstrate the quality and reliability of U.S. wheat, which drives value for millers, bakers, and consumers worldwide. Liedl noted that being in a market with growing demand helps cultivate relationships, showcase U.S. wheat’s value, and identify opportunities to meet rising South American demand.
Marking the spotlight on quality, Liedl delivered a presentation on world supply and demand while also underscoring the superior quality of U.S. wheat. The gathering offered a stage to spotlight trends in the U.S. wheat industry and show how product innovation and high standards support regional growth.
A tangible demonstration of the partnership came when a major Colombian buyer showcased breads baked with U.S. wheat. Attendees praised the loaves for their appearance and quality, with many taking extras home to share—an underscore of the perceived value and reliability of U.S. wheat.
Colombia’s role is particularly significant: as a growing, dynamic market for U.S. wheat, the country has already imported 499,000 metric tons (about 18.3 million bushels) for the 2025/2026 marketing year as of October 23, a 77% increase from the previous year. Liedl remarked that conferences like ALIM allow USW to connect with customers, remind buyers of U.S. wheat reliability, and explore new opportunities to satisfy rising demand in South America.
Ledford described ALIM as both a learning opportunity and a chance to meet buyers face to face, noting that the event sheds light on the broader South American market—an increasingly important and dynamic region for the industry. She stressed that the region’s growth is substantial, and stronger U.S. wheat exports are expected in the future. Interactive discussions between USW staff, farmer leaders, and Latin American milling leaders helped personalize the U.S. wheat story and address miller questions—building trust and visibility for U.S. wheat as a steady supplier.
Beyond South America, the conference convened milling leaders from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Venezuela. Participants hailed from eight countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
Mitch Skalicky, USW regional vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean (based in Mexico City), highlighted ALIM’s enduring impact: it has nurtured trust, confidence, and collaboration with buyers across the region since the association’s inception. With recent shifts in milling ownership in the Dominican Republic, he noted that Dominican leaders plan to host the 2026 ALIM assembly in November 2026, and USW will continue supporting this pivotal event.
If the goal is to secure enduring demand for U.S. wheat in a high-growth region, this year’s ALIM assembly showcases a clear victory: robust partnerships, firsthand demonstrations of quality, and strategic conversations that translate into real opportunities for U.S. farmers and regional millers alike. What do you think about the evolving dynamics of U.S. wheat exports in Latin America? Are there particular markets or policy shifts you believe will most shape this trajectory in the next five years?
