Healthy Oilseeds, the international division of Gussiaas Family Farm, has entered an agreement with Haitnim Nara Foods to provide flaxseed oil for its South Korean operation. The agreement was made during a recent trip to North Dakota by Haitnim’s President, Mr. Bongsuk Shin. Healthy Oilseeds will provide the South Korean company with monthly shipments of flaxseed oil.
Healthy Oilseed’s Vice President, Brock Gussiaas, said talks began nearly a year ago when Haitnim approached the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) in search of high-quality flaxseed oil. Haitnim sought out American-made flax because of the perceived superior quality and high ALA (Omega 3) content.
During Haitnim’s recent visit to North Dakota, June 8-15, Mr. Shin was able to see the quality of Healthy Oilseeds’ product and his expectations were far exceeded.
“Mr. Shin was in the market for oil with an approximate 55 percent Omega 3 content and was blown away when Healthy Oilseeds’ product tested at a 59.5 percent Omega 3 content,” said Jiwon Kim, NDTO International Business Development Manager. “Haitnim was pleased with the relationship and hospitality of Brock and Roger Gussiaas, and when the product quality was better than imagined, it really sold the ‘North Dakota’ experience.”
Healthy Oilseeds, located in Carrington, ND, is a grower, processor and exporter of grains and oilseeds, both organic and non-organic. The operation is a third generation farm that is owned by Roger Gussiaas and his son, Brock. The 4,500 acre farm produces many of crops including wheat, barley, soybeans, sunflowers, flax, and borage.
Gussiaas Family Farm/Healthy Oilseeds was the 2010 North Dakota Exporter of the Year Award winner and has been exporting since 2002.