Oregon ag producers set for trade mission to China

Alexis Taylor, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, will travel to China with Oregon food and drink producers to encourage trade and increase prosperity through agricultural exports. Taylor and more than a dozen producers from all over the state will travel to Shanghai, China from May 12-17.

“The delegation going to China this year is very diverse, everything from berries to beef,” says Taylor. “During our time in country, we will work to strengthen our relationships with buyers we know, connect with new buyers and introduce some high-quality Oregon products that the growing Chinese market is ready to experience.”

This year, Oregon beef will have a heavy presence on the trip. For the first time in more than a decade, Oregon can now ship beef to China.

With the country’s middle-class on track to grow by more than 160 million households in the next decade, the work to establish relationships and distribution channels could be a very lucrative opportunity for Oregon beef producers.

“We plan to create many new contacts and learn about the long-term prospects for Oregon beef in the China market,” says Nathan Jackson, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and General Manager of K-Bar Ranches. “Trade work in this market that just opened for U.S. and Oregon beef will be an important way for us to educate our Chinese buyers about Oregon beef, and to learn how best to market our product in China.”

In 2017, more than $290 million in Oregon food and agricultural products were shipped to China, the state’s fourth largest market for products behind Japan, South Korea and Canada. Despite the recent federal trade uncertainties ODA is committed to pursuing opportunities for Oregon’s agricultural producers.

“Agricultural trade is critical for Oregon’s economy,” says Taylor. “With the uncertainty surrounding federal trade policy and the state’s fourth largest trading partner, China, we believe there is no better time for us to strengthen our relationships with Chinese buyers and continue our work to promote and build demand for Oregon’s exceptional agricultural products.”

List of Companies traveling to China

All Berry & Fruits, Portland

Bob’s Red Mill, Portland

Country Natural Beef, Burns

Fresh Elements Farms, Salem

Harper Farms, Junction City

Herb Guru Brand, Portland

Hoopla Global, Portland

Kombucha Wonder Drink, Portland

Seaview Cranberries, Sixes

Willamette Valley Fruit Company Salem

Oregon Beef Council Portland

Oregon Cattlemen’s Association/K-Bar Ranches Myrtle Creek

Oregon Potato Commission/Gold Dust Potato Processors Merrill

Oregon Potato Commission/Bailey-Trotman Farms Malin

Oregon State University – Food Innovation Center Portland

Port of Portland Portland