Leading members of Illinois’ agriculture groups and government joined with a delegation from Taiwan on Friday to sign a letter of intent for the purchase of billions of dollars of corn and soybeans. Taiwan is agreeing to buy more than two billion dollars worth of Illinois soybeans and $600 million in Illinois corn over the next two years. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the billion dollar deals are possible because of the state’s farmers.

The deal is the second billion dollar agreement since 2019. And Taiwan is the state’s third largest agriculture trading partner. Representatives from the Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Corn Growers were on hand for Friday’s signing ceremony.