Wheat Agreement with Brazil
                                           Release No. 0464.98 

Statement
                               by
             Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman on
                   Wheat Agreement with Brazil
                                November 9, 1998


     U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman today announced that Brazil
has agreed to re-open its market to U.S. wheat.

     "After Brazil closed its markets to U.S. wheat in September, 1996, USDA
immediately embarked on a series of negotiations.  These efforts have now
culminated in the removal of critical trade barriers.  It is a success story
for both countries, for science-based trading standards and most importantly,
for the American farmer.

     "This agreement renews access for U.S. farmers to a major wheat market. 
If the recent past is any indicator, U.S. farmers can expect a market for up
to 760,000 tons of wheat a year."

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(NOTE: On an annual basis, Brazil imports approximately 6 million metric tons
of wheat, most of it from Argentina. Under the protocol, Brazil will again
accept hard red winter wheat from the Great Plains states when exported from
Mississippi and Gulf ports.)


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