Role of Wheat in World's Food Supply – Report of Conference

Excerpts from the Introduction: Over the past few years, exports of wheat and wheat products have increased as the result of a number of programs. Examples are the government-sponsored shipments of surplus foods, feeding of the underprivileged by volunteer agencies, surveys of nutritional status in various developing countries, and research to develop suitable products and evaluate new markets. The objectives have been varied, ranging from those that are strictly humanitarian and instrumental in foreign policy to long-range market activities to develop commerce. Some programs have been closely coordinated; some have been parts of larger programs with only coincidental coordination where interests overlap. Increasingly, the agencies and institutions concerned have drawn together to reach common objectives. To encourage coordination and to make programs more effective the several sponsors organized this conference. It was their considered judgment that there is insufficient understanding of the need for wheat in large-scale international food programs, of the unique availability of wheat, of the nutritional values of wheat, and of the possibilities of using wheat in different forms to meet local traditions of food use. Objectives are to clarify these important points and to provide: (1) a summary of available information on international food requirements; (2) a review of activities of governmental, agricultural, and industrial organizations in developing international trade in wheat and wheat products; (3) a discussion of potential overseas wheat markets and (4) a presentation of technical information on nutritive qualities and the conversion of wheat to useful food products.