News

Are there enough domestic market opportunities for U.S. wheat?

An Oregon wheat farmer remains concerned about exports in 2025.

Former president of the National Association of Wheat Growers Brent Cheyne says there aren’t enough markets domestically to support the current U.S. wheat crop.

“89% of our crop is exported to the Pacific Rim, so I have no idea how you would consume all of that domestically,” he says. “That tells you how huge the market is, how miniscule it is in this country compared to what’s overseas.”

He tells Brownfield he’s worried imposing tariffs on our strongest trade partners will impact the bottom line of the industry.

“We’re all competing for the same market, so as the population grows, he who gets in position to make it look like they’ve got a better mousetrap, so to speak, will reap the benefit and the reward,” he says.

Tariffs on Mexico and Canada ag exports went into effect overnight. China and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on top U.S. ag products and imports.

Brownfield interviewed Cheyne during the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado.

AUDIO: Brent Cheyne, National Association of Wheat Growers