Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
Commissioner Troxler recently led a weeklong trade mission to China to boost North Carolina’s relationship with that important export partner. The trade mission focused on forestry products, tobacco, pork and soybeans.
There were nearly 50 people on the trade mission representing the various commodities. The delegation also included N.C. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla and Dr. Richard Linton, dean of the N.C. State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The delegation held meetings with China Tobacco and WH Group, the world’s largest pork company. In addition, there were meetings with companies that buy containerized soybeans. Troxler says that N.C. soybeans shipped in containers have higher protein and oil levels and are of higher quality. This makes them a sought commodity in the Chinese market.
North Carolina ranks among the leaders in the U.S. in lumber exports, and the delegation held meetings with potential buyers in China to expand opportunities.
In addition, the group visited China’s Inspection and Quarantine Agency, which inspects products coming into the country. Troxler says the meeting helped increase the delegation’s knowledge about CIQ’s expectations and procedures.
Click on the audio player below to listen to Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda recap the trade mission to China.
[Audio:http://info.ncagr.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_4-21.mp3|titles=Today’s Topic for April 21]
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